System and method for providing hands free operation of at least one vehicle door

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing hands free operation of at least one vehicle door that include determining if a portable device is located within at least one local area polling zone of a vehicle. The system and method additionally include determining if the portable device is stationary for a first period of a predetermined period of time within the at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle and providing a notification of a remaining duration of the predetermined period of time to instruct an individual carrying the portable device to remain in a stationary position to allow the portable device to remain stationary for the remaining duration of the predetermined period of time. The system and method further include supplying an amount of power to open or close the at least one vehicle door if it is determined that the portable device remains stationary for the predetermined period of time.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/730,792 filed on Oct. 12, 2017, the entireapplication of which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S.application Ser. No. 15/730,792 claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/485,360 filed on Apr. 13, 2017, which is alsoincorporated herein by reference; U.S. application Ser. No. 15/730,792also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/426,954filed on Nov. 28, 2016, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles today include systems that may allow powered opening andclosing of vehicle doors that include a tailgate door. Many of thesesystems require an individual to perform some type of action to instructthe systems that the vehicle door should be opened or closed. Forexample, some systems require individuals to input specific buttons on akey fob in a specific manner in order to instruct the systems to actuatepowered opening or closing of the vehicle door. Additionally somesystems require individuals to perform some type of gesture(s) (e.g.,kicking foot under a vehicle tailgate) in order to instruct the systemsto actuate powered opening or closing of the vehicle door. Such actionsmay often be inconvenient to perform for the individual, especially insituations when the individual is carrying objects and/or are physicallyunable to perform such actions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for providinghands free operation of at least one vehicle door is provided thatincludes determining if a portable device is located within at least onelocal area polling zone of a vehicle. The computer-implemented methodalso includes determining if the portable device is stationary for afirst period of a predetermined period of time within the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle. The computer-implemented methodadditionally includes providing a notification of a remaining durationof the predetermined period of time to instruct an individual carryingthe portable device to remain in a stationary position to allow theportable device to remain stationary for the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time. The computer-implemented method furtherincludes supplying an amount of power to a motor associated with the atleast one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door ifit is determined that the portable device remains stationary for thepredetermined period of time.

According to another aspect, a system for providing hands free operationof at least one vehicle door is provided. The system includes a memorystoring instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to determine if a portable device is located within at leastone local area polling zone of a vehicle. The instructions also causethe processor to determine if the portable device is stationary for afirst period of a predetermined period of time within the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle. The instructions additionallycause the processor to provide a notification of a remaining duration ofthe predetermined period of time to instruct an individual carrying theportable device to remain in a stationary position to allow the portabledevice to remain stationary for the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time. The instructions further cause theprocessor to supply an amount of power to a motor associated with the atleast one vehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door ifit is determined that the portable device remains stationary for thepredetermined period of time.

According to still another aspect, a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium stores instructions that, when executed by a computer,which includes at least a processor, causes the computer to perform amethod that includes determining if a portable device is located withinat least one local area polling zone of a vehicle. The method alsoincludes determining if the portable device is stationary for a firstperiod of a predetermined period of time within the at least one localarea polling zone of the vehicle. The method additionally includesproviding a notification of a remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time to instruct an individual carrying the portable device toremain in a stationary position to allow the portable device to remainstationary for the remaining duration of the predetermined period oftime. The method further includes supplying an amount of power to amotor associated with at least one vehicle door to open or close the atleast one vehicle door if it is determined that the portable deviceremains stationary for the predetermined period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an operating environment of asmart entry hands free system for providing hands free operation of avehicle door according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary operatingenvironment of a hand free door operation application-specificintegrated circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 an illustrative example of a tailgate window of a tailgate doorof a vehicle that includes a notification relating to a portabledevice(s) remaining stationary according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing hands freeoperation of at least one vehicle door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a process flow diagram of a first part of a method forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle dooraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a process flow diagram of a second part of the method forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle dooraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a process flow diagram of a third part of the method forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle dooraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a method for providing hands freepowered closing of the at least one vehicle door with LF pollingaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a process flow diagram of a method for providing hands freepowered closing of the at least one vehicle door with motion sensing,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a motion sensor utilizing a predetermineddetection range of the tailgate door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein.The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components thatfall within the scope of a term and that can be used for implementation.The examples are not intended to be limiting.

A “bus,’ as used herein, refers to an interconnected architecture thatis operably connected to transfer data between computer componentswithin a singular or multiple systems. The bus can be a memory bus, amemory controller, a peripheral bus, an external bus, a crossbar switch,and/or a local bus, among others. The bus can also be a vehicle bus thatinterconnects components inside a vehicle using protocols such asController Area network (CAN), Media Oriented System Transport (MOST),Local Interconnect Network (LIN), among others.

“Computer communication”, as used herein, refers to a communicationbetween two or more computing devices (e.g., computer, personal digitalassistant, cellular telephone, network device) and can be, for example,a network transfer, a file transfer, an applet transfer, an email, ahypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) transfer, and so on. A computercommunication can occur across, for example, a wireless system (e.g.,IEEE 802.11), a Bluetooth® communication system, a radio frequencycommunication system (e.g., LF radio frequency), an Ethernet system(e.g., IEEE 802.3), a token ring system (e.g., IEEE 802.5), a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a point-to-point system, acircuit switching system, a packet switching system, among others.

An “input device” as used herein can include devices for controllingdifferent vehicle features which include various vehicle components,systems, and subsystems. The term “input device” includes, but it notlimited to: push buttons, rotary knobs, and the like. The term “inputdevice” additionally includes graphical input controls that take placewithin a user interface which can be displayed by various types ofmechanisms such as software and hardware based controls, interfaces, orplug and play devices.

A “memory,” as used herein can include volatile memory and/ornonvolatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include, for example, ROM(read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM(erasable PROM) and EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM). Volatile memorycan include, for example, RAM (random access memory), synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DRRAM).

A “module”, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, hardware,firmware, software in execution on a machine, and/or combinations ofeach to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause afunction or action from another module, method, and/or system. A modulecan include a software controlled microprocessor, a discrete logiccircuit, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logicdevice, a memory device containing executing instructions, and so on.

An “operable connection,” as used herein can include a connection bywhich entities are “operably connected”, is one in which signals,physical communications, and/or logical communications can be sentand/or received. An operable connection can include a physicalinterface, a data interface and/or an electrical interface.

An “output device” as used herein can include devices that can derivefrom vehicle components, systems, subsystems, and electronic devices.The term “output devices” includes, but is not limited to: displaydevices, and other devices for outputting information and functions.

A “processor”, as used herein, processes signals and performs generalcomputing and arithmetic functions. Signals processed by the processorcan include digital signals, data signals, computer instructions,processor instructions, messages, a bit, a bit stream, or other meansthat can be received, transmitted and/or detected. Generally, theprocessor can be a variety of various processors including multiplesingle and multicore processors and co-processors and other multiplesingle and multicore processor and co-processor architectures. Theprocessor can include various modules to execute various functions.

A “vehicle”, as used herein, refers to any moving vehicle that iscapable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by anyform of energy. The term “vehicle” includes, but is not limited to:cars, trucks, vans, minivans, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, boats,personal watercraft, and aircraft. In some cases, a motor vehicleincludes one or more engines.

A “vehicle system”, as used herein can include, but are not limited to,any automatic or manual systems that can be used to enhance the vehicle,driving and/or safety. Exemplary vehicle systems include, but are notlimited to: an electronic stability control system, an anti-lock brakesystem, a brake assist system, an automatic brake prefill system, a lowspeed follow system, a cruise control system, a collision warningsystem, a collision mitigation braking system, an auto cruise controlsystem, a lane departure warning system, a blind spot indicator system,a lane keep assist system, a navigation system, a transmission system,brake pedal systems, an electronic power steering system, visual devices(e.g., camera systems, proximity sensor systems), a climate controlsystem, an electronic pretensioning system, among others.

A “value” and “level”, as used herein can include, but is not limitedto, a numerical or other kind of value or level such as a percentage, anon-numerical value, a discrete state, a discrete value, a continuousvalue, among others. The term “value of X” or “level of X” as usedthroughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to anynumerical or other kind of value for distinguishing between two or morestates of X. For example, in some cases, the value or level of X may begiven as a percentage between 0% and 100%. In other cases, the value orlevel of X could be a value in the range between 1 and 10. In stillother cases, the value or level of X may not be a numerical value, butcould be associated with a given discrete state, such as “not X”,“slightly x”, “x”, “very x” and “extremely x”.

I. System Overview

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not for purposes oflimiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplaryoperating environment of a smart entry hands free system 100 within avehicle 102 for providing hands free operation of at least one vehicledoor 104 a-104 e. The components of the system 100, as well as thecomponents of other systems, hardware architectures and softwarearchitectures discussed herein, can be combined, omitted or organizedinto different architecture for various embodiments. However, theexemplary embodiments discussed herein focus on the environment asillustrated in FIG. 1, with corresponding system components, and relatedmethods.

In an exemplary embodiment, hands free operation of the at least onevehicle door 104 a-104 e may include an automated powered opening andclosing of one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e of the vehicle 102 byone or more motors 106 a-106 e associated with one or more of therespective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. The automated powered opening andclosing of one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e may be conductedso that one or more individuals that wish to access the vehicle 102 maybe able to access one or more areas (not shown) of the vehicle 102 fromthe one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e without having to directly(e.g., physically) or indirectly (e.g., through the use of gestures,pressing of buttons) open and close one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e.

As described in more detail below, the automated powered opening andclosing of one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e may be based onone or more execution commands sent by a hand free door operationapplication-specific integrated circuit 108 (hereinafter referred to ashand free door ASIC) included as part of an electronic control unit 110(ECU) of the vehicle 102. The commands may be provided based ondeterminations that a portable device(s) 126 is located within apredetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102 that is located outside of aspace occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e and is stationarywithin the predetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102 for a predeterminedperiod of time.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the hand free door ASIC 108 may providecommands to provide an amount of power to close one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e based on determinations that the individual(s)(e.g., that is carrying the portable device(s) 126) has provided aninput to express an intention to close one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e and that the portable device(s) 126 is not (no longer)located within the predetermined vicinity of the vehicle 102. Asdiscussed below, in some embodiments, the hand free door ASIC 108 mayprovide commands to stop providing the power to close the respectivedoor(s) 104 a-104 e based on determination that the portable device(s)126 has been moved back towards the respective door(s) 104 a-104 ebefore the automatic (full) closure of the respective door(s) 104 a-104e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ECU 110 operably controls the vehicle102 and its components that may include, but are not limited to thecomponents shown in FIG. 1. The ECU 110 may include a microprocessor,one or more application-specific integrated circuit(s) (ASICs), or othersimilar devices. The ECU 110 may also include internal processingmemory, an interface circuit, and bus lines for transferring data,sending commands, and communicating with the systems and components ofthe vehicle 102. Generally, the ECU 110 includes a processor and memory(not shown). The ECU 110 also includes a separate communications device(not shown) for sending data internally in the vehicle 102. In one ormore embodiments, the hand free door ASIC 108 may be included in theform of an integrated circuit that is embedded as part of the ECU 110.In some embodiments, the hand free door ASIC 108 may include its ownmicroprocessor and memory (both not shown). In one embodiment, the ECU110 may operably communicate with a head unit (not shown) of the vehicle102. The ECU 110 and/or the head unit may send one or more commandsignals to a plurality of vehicle systems (shown in FIG. 2), that maycommunicate with the hand free door ASIC 108 to provide one or morenotifications to the individual(s).

In one or more embodiments, in addition to the aforementioned componentsof the system 100, the vehicle 102 may include a power control unit 112,a communication control unit 114, a storage unit 116, one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h, one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e, doorlocks 122 a-122 e, and door input buttons 124 a-124 e. As discussedbelow, the communication control unit 114 of the vehicle 102 may utilizethe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h to send and receivecommunication signals (e.g., low frequency (LF) polling/polling responsesignals, other RF signals, Bluetooth® signals, and/or Wi-Fi signals)from one or more portable devices 126.

In one embodiment, the storage unit 116 of the vehicle 102 may includevarious memories such as, for example L1, L2, or L3 cache or systemmemory. As such, the memory may include static random access memory(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), orother similar memory devices. The storage unit 116 may be utilized tostore one or more operating systems, applications, associated operatingsystem data, application data, vehicle system and subsystem userinterface data, and the like that may be executed by the ECU 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, as described in more detail below, one ormore of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e may include, but may not belimited to, a left side front door 104 a, a left side rear door 104 b, aright side front door 104 c, a right side rear door 104 d, and atailgate door 104 e. One or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e mayinclude the associated motor 106 a-106 e that may operate the respectivevehicle doors 104 a-104 e based on signals sent and received from/by thehand free door ASIC 108. In one or more embodiments, one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e may include an automatically lifting door(e.g., lift gate door), a swinging door, or sliding door (specific doorconfigurations not shown) that may be manually opened or closed and/oropened or closed based on the operation of one or more of the associatedmotors 106 a-106 e that are supplied power by the power control unit 112of the vehicle 102.

Additionally, the associated motor 106 a-106 e may operate the lock 122a-122 e of each of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e based onsignals sent and received from/by the hand free door ASIC 108. Thelock(s) 122 a-122 e may function to be locked or unlocked by therespective motor 106 a-106 e based on the operation of one or more ofthe associated motors 106 a-106 e that are supplied power by the powercontrol unit 112 of the vehicle 102. As discussed below, the poweredlocking or unlocking of one or more of the door locks 122 a-122 e and/orthe opening or closing of the one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e maybe determined based on processing completed by the hand free door ASIC108.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more doors 104 a-104 e mayinclude the respective door input buttons 124 a-124 e. As describedbelow in more detail, the door input buttons 124 a-124 e may communicatewith various components of the vehicle 102 including the ECU 110 topartially control operation of one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e. For example, the door input buttons 124 a-124 e may be inputtedby an individual carrying the portable device(s) 126 to indicate thatthe individual intends for the tailgate door 104 e to be closed uponwalking away from the tailgate door 104 e, entering the vehicle 102,placing an object(s) within the vehicle 102, and/or removing object(s)from the vehicle 102.

In one or more embodiments, one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 emay also include corresponding motion sensors 120 a-120 e that may bedisposed on or near one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. Forexample, the motion sensors 120 a-120 e may be disposed in one or moreareas that may include, but are not limited to, areas underneath therespective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, above the respective vehicle doors104 a-104 e, a floor board (not shown) of the vehicle 102 near therespective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, a ceiling (not shown) of thevehicle 102 near the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, and the like.

The one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e may include, but are notlimited to microwave motion sensors, infrared motion sensors, radarbased motion sensors, and the like, and may be utilized to sense themovement of individual(s) and/or object(s) sensed within a predetermineddetection range of the one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e. Inalternate embodiments, the one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e mayinclude additional sensors (not shown) that may be used to detect themovement of the individual(s) and/or object(s), such as touch sensors,proximity sensors, field disturbance sensors, and the like.Additionally, the one or more motion sensors 120 a-120 e may be utilizedto sense a moving pattern of the individual(s) and/or object(s) that mayinclude a direction of movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s),and when motion associated with the individual(s) and/or object(s) is nolonger sensed within the predetermined detection range of the one ormore motion sensors 120 a-120 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communication control unit 114 of thevehicle 102 is operably connected to the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h in addition to the ECU 110, the power control unit 112, and thehand free door ASIC 108. The communication control unit 114 may beconfigured to control operation of the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h to send one or more communication signals to the one or moreportable devices 126. Additionally, the communication control unit 114may be configured to control operation of the one or more transceivers118 a-118 h to receive one or more communication response signals fromthe one or more portable devices 126. In an exemplary embodiment, thecommunication control unit 114 of the vehicle 102 may utilize the one ormore transceivers 118 a-118 h to communicate with the one or moreportable devices 126 by transmitting/receiving RF and LF communicationsignals. However, it is to be appreciated that the communication controlunit 114 may utilize the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h and/oradditional/alternate components of the vehicle 102 to communicate withthe one or more portable devices 126 through alternate communicationmeans, including, but not limited to, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and/or similarwireless communication methods.

In one embodiment, the communication control unit 114 may send one ormore commands to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to send one or moretypes of signals at one or more signal strengths and at one or morefrequencies based on one or more commands received by the communicationcontrol unit 114 from the hand free door ASIC 108 and/or the ECU 110.Additionally, the communication control unit 114 may send the one ormore commands to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to send one or moretypes of signals at one or more signal strengths and at one or morefrequencies based on one or more amounts of power supplied to thetransceivers(s) 118 a-118 h by the power control unit 112, as may bedetermined by the hand free door ASIC 108 and/or the ECU 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h maybe capable of providing wireless computer communications utilizingvarious protocols to be used to send/receive electronic signalsinternally to components and systems within the vehicle 102 and toexternal devices including the one or more portable devices 126. The oneor more transceivers 118 a-118 h may include respective transmitterantennas (not shown) and receiver antennas (not shown) that may beseparate components or may be configured as a single component. The oneor more transceivers 118 a-118 h may be included at one or more areas ofthe vehicle 102 that may be utilized to determine a location of theportable device(s) 126 and/or a movement of the portable device(s) 126with respect to the vehicle 102 and/or specifically with respect to oneor more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. For example, as shown in FIG.1, transceivers 118 a-118 h may be provided within a vicinity of each ofthe vehicle doors 104 a-104 e, at a front portion 128 a (e.g., hood) ofthe vehicle 102, at a middle portion 128 b of the vehicle 102, and at arear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle 102 to send and receivesignals from various areas around the vehicle 102.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h maybe operably controlled to transmit one or more polling signals to aplurality of zones (e.g., areas around the vehicle 102/one or morevehicle doors 104 a-104 e) at one or more predetermined pollingfrequencies to the one or more portable devices 126. In one embodiment,the plurality of zones may include a wide area polling zone 130 andlocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f that include a predeterminedarea(s) around the vehicle 102. In particular, the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f may include predetermined area(s) around the vehicle102 that are in close proximity (near) the respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e.

Additional local area polling zones that are provided at additionalareas of the vehicle 102 that may not be shown in FIG. 1 may also becontemplated. For example, in some embodiments, one or more local areapolling zones (not shown) may be provided within and outside of themiddle portion 128 b of the vehicle 102 and/or the rear portion 128 c ofthe vehicle 102. It is to be appreciated that additional zones may beprovided between the wide area polling zone 130 and the one or morelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f. For instance, in some embodiments,detection zones (not shown) may be provided that may be located inbetween the wide area polling zone 130 and the one or more local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f or may encompass one or more of the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f. For example, a detection zone may be providedthat is between a boundary of the wide area polling zone and theboundaries of the local area polling zone 132 a and the local areapolling zone 132 b.

In an exemplary embodiment, predetermined areas within the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 e (located near the respective vehicle doors 104a-104 e) may be identified as a plurality of door area zones 134 a-134e. In particular, the plurality of door area zones 134 a-134 e includethe predetermined areas within the local area polling zones 132 a-132 ethat include a space that may be occupied by the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e when the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is being openedor closed. The door area zones 134 a-134 e may represent respectiveareas near the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e that may be determined as aspace where individuals and/or objects may interfere with the openingand/closing of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e and mayconstitute as a hazard with respect to automatically opening and/orclosing of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. For example, thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e may include a maximum amount of spaceutilized when the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e are being swung opened orswung closed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more portable devices 126 mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more of electronic key fobs,smart keys, mobile electronic devices, smart phones, remote controls,and the like. Several functions of the vehicle 102 may be controlled byuser input that is provided on the one or more portable devices 126 thatinfluence and/or command the ECU 110 and/or hand free door ASIC 108 tocontrol the components of the system 100 based on wireless computercommunication between the portable device(s) 126 and the transceiver(s)118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102.

In one embodiment, the one or more portable devices 126 may include amicroprocessor 136 that is utilized to operably control components ofthe portable device(s) 126. The microprocessor 136 may include memory,an interface circuit, and bus lines, for transferring data, sendingcommands, communicating with the various components and controlling anoverall operation of the portable device(s) 126. In one embodiment, themicroprocessor 136 may store a specific identification code thatspecifically corresponds to the portable device(s) 126 to be used as anidentification mechanism by the vehicle 102.

The one or more portable devices 126 may also include a transceiver 138that may send and receive electronic signals to and from the vehicle102. In particular, the transceiver 138 may receive polling signals thatare transmitted by the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h within thewide area polling zone 130 and the one or more local area polling zones132 a-132 f. Upon receipt of the polling signals transmitted by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102, the transceiver 138 maytransmit one or more LF polling response signals back to the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102. In an exemplary embodiment,transceiver 138 may communicate with the vehicle 102 bytransmitting/receiving RF and LF communication signals. However, it isto be appreciated that the transceiver 138 and/or additional/alternatecomponents of the one or more portable devices 126 may communicate withthe vehicle 102 through alternate communication means, including, butnot limited to, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and/or similar wireless communicationmethods.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more portable devices 126 mayadditionally include input buttons 140 that may include, but are notlimited to, door lock buttons, door unlock buttons, door open/closestart/stop button (individual buttons not shown). As will be describedbelow, in one embodiment, input of the door open/close start/stop buttonthat may be utilized to start or stop the powered opening or closing ofone or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

The hand free door ASIC 108 of the ECU 110 will now be discussed in moredetail. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary operatingenvironment of hand free door ASIC 108, according to an exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in an illustrative embodiment, the handfree door ASIC 108 may execute and store one or more modules 202-206that may include a polling signal module 202, a door actuation module204, and a sensor control module 206.

In operation, the polling signal module 202 of the hand free door ASIC108 may provide command signals to the communication control unit 114 tosend signals to the power control unit 112 to supply one or morepredetermined amounts of power to the one or more transceivers 118 a-118h. Upon receiving the one or more predetermined amounts of power, theone or more transceivers 118 a-118 h may be configured to send one ormore polling signals to the wide area polling zone 130 and one or morelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f at one or more polling frequenciesto be communicated to the portable device(s) 126.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may communicate withthe communication control unit 114 to receive data that pertains to theone or more LF polling response signals that are transmitted by thetransceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126. The polling signal module202 may interpret the one or more received LF polling response signalsand may determine a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of LFpolling response signal(s) that are transmitted by the portabledevice(s) 126.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may access andutilize signal strength thresholds that pertain to the one or more LFpolling response signals received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Thesignal strength thresholds may be stored on the storage unit 116 and areindicative of the signal strength(s) of the LF polling responsesignal(s) that are transmitted by the portable device(s) 126. In otherwords, the one or more signal strength thresholds may include valuesthat are indicative of RSSI threshold values that are respectivelyassociated to each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102.Therefore, each of the transceivers 118 a-118 h may be associated withits own set of signal strength thresholds that may be utilized by thepolling signal module 202 when it is determined that one or morerespective transceivers 118 a-118 h has received the LF polling responsesignal(s) from the portable device(s) 126. In other words, the signalstrength thresholds associated with one of the transceivers 118 a-118 hmay include unique values (e.g., different values) from signal strengththresholds associated with another of the transceivers 118 a-118 h. Forexample, signal strength thresholds that are associated with thetransceiver 118 a may differ from signal strength thresholds that areassociated with the transceiver 118 e.

In one or more embodiments, the signal strength thresholds may includelocal area threshold values that are associated with each transceiver118 a-118 h. The local area threshold values may be utilized by thepolling signal module 202 to determine an existence of the portabledevice(s) 126 within or outside of the local area polling zones 132a-132 f. In other words, the local area threshold values may be utilizedby the polling signal module 202 to determine if the portable device(s)126 is within one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f ofthe vehicle 102.

More specifically, the local area threshold values may pertain to signalstrength values of the received LF polling response signal(s) for eachof the transceivers 118 a-118 h. The local area threshold values maypertain to a respective signal strength value that is used to determinethat the portable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f such that if the received signalstrength value is equal to or above one of the local area thresholdvalues, the portable device(s) 126 may be determined to be in one ormore of the respective local area polling zones 132 a-132 f.

Conversely, if the received signal strength value is below the localarea threshold values, the portable device(s) 126 may be determined tobe in the wide area polling zone 130. Therefore, the polling signalmodule 202 may utilize the local area threshold values to determine thelocation of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102based on a comparison between the received signal strength of one ormore received LF polling response signals transmitted by the portabledevice(s) 126 and the threshold values. As described below, the handfree door ASIC 108 may utilize this information to provide one or moreamounts of power to unlock/lock one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e and/or provide further evaluation as to if one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e should be opened/closed.

In one or more embodiments, the signal strength thresholds mayadditionally include door area threshold values that are associated witheach transceiver 118 a-118 h. The door area threshold values may beutilized by the polling signal module 202 to determine an existence ofthe portable device(s) 126 within or outside of the door area zones 134a-134 e of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 e. In other words, thedoor area threshold values may be utilized by the polling signal module202 to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is within one or more ofthe door area zones 134 a-134 e of the local area polling zones 132a-132 e to possibly indicate that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e duringopening or closing.

In particular, the door area threshold values may pertain to signalstrength values of the received LF polling response signal(s) for eachof the transceivers 118 a-118 h. The door area threshold values maypertain to a respective signal strength value that is used to determinethat the portable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e such that if the received signal strengthvalue is equal to or above one of the door area threshold values, theportable device(s) 126 may be determined to be in one or more of therespective door area zones 134 a-134 e, within the space occupied by thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e during opening or closing. Conversely, ifthe received signal strength value is below the door area thresholdvalues but is equal to or above the local area threshold values, theportable device(s) 126 may be determined to be located within one of therespective local area polling zones 132 a-132 f, outside of the doorarea zones 134 a-134 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the signal strength thresholds stored on thestorage unit 116 may additionally include one or more signal strengthdeviation threshold values that may provide a maximum deviation ofsignal strengths between two or more LF polling response signals todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 are remaining stationary orbeing moved within the one or more local area polling zones 132 a-132 f.The polling signal module 202 may analyze signal strengths associatedwith two or more received LF polling response signals transmitted by theportable device(s) 126 against the maximum signal strength deviationthreshold values associated with one or more of the transceivers 118a-118 h to determine if the portable device(s) 126 are remainingstationary for a predetermined period of time within one of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f and outside of the door area zones 134a-134 e in order to actuate one or more of the motors 106 a-106 e toopen one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In one or more embodiments, upon receiving the LF polling responsesignal(s) from the portable device(s) 126, the communication controlunit 114 may analyze data received by the signals and data pertaining tothe one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h that are receiving the LFpolling response signal(s). The polling signal module 202 may evaluatethe data and may determine which of the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h are receiving the LF polling response signal(s). In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may determine which one of thetransceivers 118 a-118 h are receiving the LF polling response signal(s)with the highest signal strength and may access the storage unit 116 toretrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with the respectivetransceiver 118 a-118 h.

In circumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determines thatmore than one of the transceivers 118 a-118 h is receiving the LFpolling response signal(s) with the highest signal strength (e.g., morethan one transceiver 118 a-118 h received the LF polling response signalwithin a predetermined signal strength range), the polling signal module202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may comparethe signal strength of the LF polling response signal(s) against thesignal strength thresholds associated with the respective transceiver(s)118 a-118 h as stored on the storage unit 116 to determine the locationand/or movement of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to thevehicle 102. In particular, as described below, the polling signalmodule 202 may utilize the local area threshold value(s) associated witheach of the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h to determine if theportable device(s) 126 may be located within one or more of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f or the wide area polling zone 130. Thepolling signal module 202 may additionally utilize the door areathreshold value(s) associated with each one of the transceivers 118a-118 h to determine if the portable device(s) 126 may be located withinone or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e. If it is determined thatthe portable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f but not within the one or more door areazones 134 a-134 e, the polling signal module 202 may utilize the one ormore signal strength deviation threshold values associated with one ormore of the transceivers 118 a-118 h to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 is or is not stationary for a predetermined period oftime.

The predetermined period of time utilized by the polling signal module202 may be a period of time that is deemed to be appropriate for theportable device(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the one or moreof the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f for the hand free door ASIC108 to safely actuate powered opening/closing of one or more vehicledoors 104 a-104 e. The powered opening/closing of the one or morevehicle doors 104 a-104 e may be individually actuated based on thedetermination of the location of the portable device(s) 126 within oneor more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f that are in closestproximity to the one or more respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may execute atimer that is utilized to determine if the predetermined period of timehas expired to determine if the portable device(s) 126 remainsstationary for the predetermined period of time. The timer may actuate acountdown sequence that may include a total time that is representativeof the amount of time that is deemed to be appropriate for the portabledevice(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f (outside of the one or more doorarea zones 134 a-134 e) in order for the hand free door ASIC 108 tosafely actuate powered opening of one or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 edetermined to be located in closest proximity to the portable device(s)126.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may interpretthe one or more LF polling response signals received by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h from the one or more portable devices 126 inthe manner discussed above to possibly unlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 eand/or to open one or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. Similarly,the polling signal module 202 may interpret the one or more LF pollingresponse signals to determine the location and movement of the portabledevice(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102 to possibly lock thelock(s) 122 a-122 e and/or to close one or more of the vehicle doors 104a-104 e after being unlocked and opened.

In one embodiment, upon determining the location and the movement of theportable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102, the pollingsignal module 202 may send one or more data signals to the dooractuation module 204 of the hand free door ASIC 108. The door actuationmodule 204 may provide one or more commands to the power control unit112 of the vehicle 102 to supply one or more requisite amounts of powerto one or more of the motors 106 a-106 e to lock and unlock one or moreof the door locks 122 a-122 e of associated vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.Additionally, the door actuation module 204 may provide one or morecommands to the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102 to supply oneor more requisite amounts of power to one or more of the motors 106a-106 e to open and/or close one or more of the associated vehicle doors104 a-104 e. As will be discussed, in one or more embodiments, the dooractuation module 204 may evaluate data provided by the polling signalmodule 202 and/or the sensor control module 206 to reactively providethe one or more commands to the power control unit 112 to supply therequisite amount(s) of power to lock, unlock, open and/or close one ormore of the doors 104 a-104 e.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hand free door ASIC 108 may operably communicatewith a plurality of vehicle systems 208 to provide one or morenotifications to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126that the polling signal module 202 is determining if the portabledevice(s) 126 is remaining stationary for the predetermined period oftime. These notifications may be provided to inform the individual thatif the portable device(s) 126 is to be remaining in the stationaryposition for the predetermined period of time (e.g., based on theindividual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 and standing in astationary position) and does not enter the door area zones 134 a-134 e,the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may be opened or closed after theexpiration of the predetermined period of time.

In particular, the plurality of vehicle systems 208 may include, but maynot be limited to, a window notification system 210, a lighting system212, and an infotainment system 214. However, it is to be appreciatedthat the plurality of vehicle systems 208 may include additional vehiclesystems and vehicle subsystems that are not shown in FIG. 2 (e.g.,vehicle navigation system). In an exemplary embodiment, the windownotification system 210 may be operably connected to one or more lightsources (not shown) that may be disposed within respective windows (notshown) of the vehicle 102 included within the respective vehicle doors104 a-104 e. The one or more light sources may be configured as in-glassembedded lighting that may be viewed in one or more colors to present aneffect of including one or more textual and/or one or more non-textualgraphics etched within one or more portions of the respective windows ofthe vehicle 102.

In particular, the one or more textual graphics may include text thatmay be presented based on operation of the hand free door ASIC 108, theECU 110 in general, and/or one or more additional vehicle systems. Theone or more non-textual graphics may include one or more illustrations(e.g., illustration of a vehicle door opening) that may also bepresented based on operation of the hand free door ASIC 108, the ECU 110in general, and/or the one or more additional vehicle systems. Asdiscussed below, the polling signal module 202 may communicate with thewindow notification system 210 to provide the notification(s) relatingto the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary, upon the pollingsignal module 202 determining that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f and islocated outside of one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e.

In one embodiment, the lighting system 212 may control one or moreexternal and internal lights not shown) of the vehicle 102. Morespecifically, the lighting system 212 may control external head lights,tail lights, signal lights, fender lights, and the like based on theoperation of the hand free door ASIC 108, the ECU 110 in general, and/orthe one or more additional vehicle systems. Additionally, the lightingsystem 212 may control internal dome lights, dash board lights, centerstack lights, door panel lights, and/or interior panel lights based alsoon the operation of the hand free door ASIC 108, the ECU 110 in general,and/or the one or more additional vehicle systems.

In some embodiments, the lighting system 212 may provide lighting at oneor more brightness levels based on the operation of the hand free doorASIC 108. As discussed below, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate with the lighting system 212 to provide the notification(s)relating to the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary, upon thepolling signal module 202 determining that the portable device(s) 126 islocated within one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 fand is located outside of one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134e.

In one or more embodiments, the infotainment system 214 of the vehicle102 may control one or more visual and audio notifications that arepresented within the vehicle 102 and outside of the vehicle 102. Inparticular, the infotainment system 214 may be operably connected to oneor more display units (not shown), one or more internal speakers (notshown), and one or more external speakers (not shown) of the vehicle 102to provide notifications to the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126 located within or around the vehicle 102. In an alternateembodiment, a body control module (BCM) (not shown) of the vehicle 102may control the one or more visual and audio notifications that arepresented within the vehicle 102 and outside of the vehicle 102. The BCMmay be operably connected to the one or more display units and the oneor more internal and/or external speakers of the vehicle 102 to providethe notifications to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s)126 located within or around the vehicle 102. The polling signal module202 may communicate with the infotainment system 214 and/or the BCM toprovide the notification(s) relating to the portable device(s) 126remaining stationary, upon the polling signal module 202 determiningthat the portable device(s) 126 is located within one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f and is located outside of one ormore of the door area zones 134 a-134 e.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate with the window notification system 210 upon determiningthat the portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary for a firstperiod of the predetermined period of time within one or more of thelocal area polling zones 132 a-132 f and is outside of the door areazones 134 a-134 e. The window notification system 210 may responsivelyprovide a notification in a textual and/or non-textual format thatinstructs the individual(s) to ensure that the portable device(s) 126remains in the stationary position for a remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative example of a tailgate window 302 of a tailgatedoor 104 e of the vehicle 102 that includes a notification 304 relatingto the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary according to anexemplary embodiment. As an illustrative example, upon determining thatthe portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary for the first periodof the predetermined period of time within the local area polling zone132 e and is located outside of the door area zone 134 e, the pollingsignal module 202 may communicate respective data to the windownotification system 210. The data may be indicative of the countdownsequence of the timer counting down the amount of time remaining beforethe expiration of the predetermined period of time. The windownotification system 210 may responsively present the notification 304relating to the portable device(s) 126 remaining stationary.

In particular, the notification 304 may be presented in a textual formatas shown that may indicate to the individual(s) that the portabledevice(s) 126 is to be remaining stationary for a remaining amount oftime of the predetermined amount of time to automatically open thetailgate door 104 e. As shown, the notification 304 may include acountdown notification 306 that may present a countdown timer thatcounts down the remaining amount of time before the expiration of thepredetermined amount of time to automatically open the tailgate door 104e. In some embodiments, the notification 304 may additionally includetext that indicates to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s)126 that they should remain a safe distance away from the tailgate door104 e since it will be automatically opened immediately upon theexpiration of the predetermined amount of time as the portable device(s)126 remains stationary within the local area polling zone 132 e. Inadditional embodiments, the notification 304 may include one or moreillustrative graphics (e.g., presenting a vehicle door opening) duringthe predetermined amount of time, and/or immediately upon the expirationof the predetermined amount of time as the portable device(s) 126remains stationary within the local area polling zone 132 e. Theillustrative graphic may provide notification to the individual toensure that the portable device(s) 126 remains stationary during thepredetermined amount of time and that the tailgate door 104 e is aboutto be automatically opened to inform the individual carrying theportable device(s) 126 to remain a safe distance behind the tailgatedoor 104 e upon the completion of the predetermined amount of time.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, if the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 does not remainstationary before the expiration of the predetermined period of time,the polling signal module 202 may send a respective signal(s) to thewindow notification system 210. The window notification system 210 mayprovide a textual or non-textual notification informing theindividual(s) that the portable device(s) 126 did not remain stationaryand that the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e will not beautomatically opened. In some embodiments, if the portable device(s) 126is determined to be no longer within the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may communicate with the windownotification system 210 to no longer present the notification of theportable device(s) 126 remaining stationary.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate with the lighting system 212 of the vehicle 102 upondetermining that the portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary forthe first period of the predetermined period of time. The lightingsystem 212 may provide select vehicle lighting (e.g., tailgate lighting)at a full brightness level at the first period of the predeterminedperiod of time and may start dimming as the polling signal module 202sends data that is indicative of the countdown sequence of the timercounting down the amount of time remaining before the expiration of thepredetermined period of time. In other words, during the duration of thepredetermined period of time, as the polling signal module 202 executesthe timer to countdown the predetermined period of time, the lightingsystem 212 may present the vehicle light being presented at a fullbrightness level to a dimming brightness level as the countdownpersists.

In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theportable device(s) 126 does not remain stationary before the expirationof the predetermined period of time, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate respective data to the lighting system 212. The lightingsystem 212 may responsively provide the vehicle lighting at the fullbrightness to provide indication to the individual(s) to ensure that theportable device(s) 126 remains stationary. In some embodiments, if theportable device(s) 126 is determined to be no longer within the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 maycommunicate respective data to the lighting system 212. The lightingsystem 212 may responsively disable the vehicle lighting so that theindividual is no longer provided the notification.

In an additional embodiment, in addition to or in lieu of communicatingwith the window notification system 210 and/or the lighting system 212,the polling signal module 202 may communicate with the infotainmentsystem 214 and/or the BCM of the vehicle 102 upon determining that theportable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary for the first period ofthe predetermined period of time. The infotainment system 214 and/or theBCM may responsively provide one or more audio notifications that areprovided via the external speakers of the vehicle 102. In particular,the audio notification(s) may be provided to indicate the timer countingdown the amount of time remaining before the expiration of thepredetermined period of time and/or the expiration of the predeterminedamount of time. Additionally, the infotainment system 214 and/or the BCMmay also be utilized to provide one or more audio notifications that areprovided via the external speakers to indicate that the portabledevice(s) 126 has been determined not to have remained stationary forthe predetermined amount of time required to automatically open thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, upon the polling signal module 202determining that the portable device(s) 126 does not remain stationarybefore the expiration of the predetermined period of time.

With reference to the automatic closure of the one or more vehicle doors104 a-104 e, the door actuation module 204 may evaluate data from thedoor input buttons 124 a-124 e and may provide command signals to thepolling signal module 202 and/or the sensor control module 206 to sendsignals to determine movement of the portable device(s) 126,individual(s) and/or object(s) away from one or more respective vehicledoors 104 a-104 e that are determined to be open to actuate walk-awayclosing and locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may determine the location andmovement of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle 102after determining that one or more of the door input buttons 124 a-124 ehave been inputted by the individual(s).

In particular, in the circumstance that a respective vehicle door 104a-104 e is open, and the door actuation module 204 determines that oneor more of the door input buttons 124 a-124 e have been inputted by theindividual(s), the door actuation module 204 may communicate with thepolling signal module 202 to determine if the portable device(s) 126 isstill within a respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e tofurther determine if the portable device(s) 126 is being moved away fromthe respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. If the polling signal module202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is being moved away fromthe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the polling signal module 202 may sendone or more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 toactuate closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor control module 206 of the handfree door ASIC 108 may receive one or more data signals based on dataprovided by one or more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e, the pollingsignal module 202 and/or the door actuation module 204. In one or moreembodiments, the sensor control module 206 may activate one or more ofthe motion sensors 120 a-120 e upon determining that one or more of thevehicle doors 104 a-104 e has been previously opened.

As described below, the sensor control module 206 may also calibrate oneor more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e to adjust the predetermineddetection range of one or more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e basedon a measured amount of the opening of one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e to account for the movement of the individual(s) and/or theobject(s) that occur due to the space occupied by the vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e during opening or closing. In one or more embodiments, thesensor control module 206 may evaluate data from one or more of themotion sensors 120 a-120 e and data provided by other components of thevehicle 102 such as the door input buttons 124 a-124 e and may providecommand signals to the door actuation module 204 to send signals toclose one or more of the doors 104 a-104 e of the vehicle 102. Thesensor control module 206 may further evaluate data from the one or moremotion sensors 120 a-120 e to send signals to stop the closure of one ormore of the doors 104 a-104 e if it is determined that the individual(s)approaches the space occupied by the one or more of the doors 104 a-104e during the powered closure of the respective one or more of doors 104a-104 e.

In some embodiments, the door actuation module 204 may evaluate datafrom the door input buttons 124 a-124 e and may provide command signalsto the sensor control module 206 to determine if movement of theindividual(s) or objects is occurring away from space occupied by one ormore of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e that is open. The door actuationmodule 204 may also communicate with the sensor control module 206 tofurther determine if there is any movement of the individual(s) or theobject(s) within the space occupied by one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e determined to be opened. As discussed below, if the sensorcontrol module 206 determines that movement of the individual(s) and/orobjects away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 eand that there is no movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) fora predetermined period of time after, the sensor control module 206 maysend one or more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 toactuate powered closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e.

In additional embodiments, the sensor control module 206 may utilizepredetermined gestures to initiate walk away closing and/or locking ofone or more vehicle doors 104 a-104 e. In particular, the sensor controlmodule 206 may access predetermined gesture data that is stored on thestorage unit 116 and may determine if the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 provide a predetermined gesture that may include,but is not limited to, a kicking gesture, a waving gesture, and the likethat is captured by one or more of the motion sensors 120 a-120 e. Insome additional embodiments, the sensor control module 206 maycommunicate with the polling signal module 202 to determine the locationand movement of the portable device(s) 126 with respect to the vehicle102 after determining that the predetermined gestures were sensed by themotion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e.

In particular, in the circumstance that a respective vehicle door 104a-104 e is open, and the sensor control module 206 determines that thepredetermined gesture is sensed, the sensor control module 206 maycommunicate with the polling signal module 202 to determine if theportable device(s) 126 is still within a respective local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 e to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is beingmoved away from the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. If thesensor control module 206 determines that the portable device(s) 126 isbeing moved away from the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the sensorcontrol module 206 may send one or more respective signals to the dooractuation module 204 to actuate powered closing and/or locking of thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In some embodiments, upon sending thesignal(s) to actuate powered closing of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e,the sensor control module 206 may further evaluate data to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 is being moved back towards the vehicle 102and is located within a predetermined distance of one of the door areazones 134 a-134 e and may send signals to stop the powered closure ofone or more the doors 104 a-104 e since such a scenario may indicatethat the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 may intend tore-enter or reach into the vehicle 102.

II. Exemplary Methods Utilized by the Hand Free Door Asic

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a method 400 for providing handsfree operation of at least one vehicle door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 will be described withreference to the components of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to beappreciated that the method of FIG. 4 may be used with other systemsand/or components. The method 400 will be explained in more detail belowwith reference to FIGS. 5A-5C that include process flow diagrams of amethod 500. With reference to FIG. 4, the method 400 may begin at block402, wherein the method 400 may include determining if a portable device126 is located within at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 fof a vehicle 102.

Block 402 will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 5A, aprocess flow diagram of a first part of the method 500 for providinghands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 eaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5Awill be described with reference to the components of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2though it is to be appreciated that the method of FIG. 5A may be usedwith other systems and/or components.

As described below, the method 500 will be discussed in three parts withrespect to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C that provide more detail withrespect to the blocks 402-406 of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Inparticular, the method 500 will describe process flows that may beexecuted by the hand free door ASIC 108 when executing blocks 402-406 ofthe method 400. The method 500 may begin at block 502, wherein themethod 500 may include transmitting a low power LF polling signal to theportable device(s) 126. In an exemplary embodiment, the ECU 110 maydetermine if the vehicle 102 is parked and the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e is in a locked and closed position. Upon this determination, the ECU110 may send a signal(s) to the polling signal module 202 of the handfree door ASIC 108 to initiate a portable device polling mode.

In one embodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the pollingsignal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to the communicationcontrol unit 114 to initiate transmission of one or more low power LFpolling signals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of thecommand signal(s), the communication control unit 114 may utilize thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit the one or more low power LFpolling signals that reaches a predetermined distance within the widearea polling zone 130. The communication control unit 114 may beconfigured to control the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit apredetermined number of LF low power polling signals within apredetermined time period. In some embodiments, the communicationcontrol unit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h to transmit the low power LF polling signal(s) at apredetermined frequency (e.g., every 600 ms) to determine if theportable device(s) 126 is located within the wide area polling zone 130.

The method 500 may proceed to block 504, wherein the method 500 mayinclude determining if the portable device(s) 126 is located within thewide area polling zone 130. In an exemplary embodiment, if the portabledevice(s) 126 (e.g., the individuals(s) carrying the portable device(s)126) is located within the wide area polling zone 130, the transceiver138 of the portable device(s) 126 may receive the low power LF pollingsignal(s) transmitted by the transceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle102. Upon receiving the low power LF polling signal, the microprocessor136 of the portable device(s) 126 may instruct the transceiver 138 ofthe portable device(s) 126 to transmit one or more long range LF pollingresponse signals to the vehicle 102. In some embodiments, the one ormore long range LF polling response signals may include a plurality oflong range LF polling response signals that may contain the specificidentification code that is stored on the microprocessor 136 thatspecifically corresponds to the portable device(s) 126 to be used as anidentification mechanism by the ECU 110 of the vehicle 102.

Upon receipt of the LF polling response signals by one or more of thetransceivers 118 a-118 h, the communication control unit 114 may analyzedata received by the signals and data pertaining to the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h received by the LF polling response signal(s)and may further communicate one or more LF polling response data signalsto the polling signal module 202. Upon receipt of the one or more LFpolling response data signals, the polling signal module 202 mayevaluate the data and may determine the signal strength of at least oneof the received LF response polling signal(s). Additionally, the pollingsignal module 202 may evaluate the data from the LF polling responsedata signal(s) and may determine the one or more transceivers 118 a-118h of the vehicle 102 that received the LF polling response signal(s)transmitted by the portable device(s) 126. The polling signal module 202may determine which one of the transceivers 118 a-118 h received the LFpolling signal with the highest signal strength and may access thestorage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associatedwith the respective transceiver 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may comparethe determined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s)received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h against the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h asstored on the storage unit 116. In particular, the polling signal module202 may compare the determined signal strength(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) against the local area threshold value(s) associatedwith the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined tohave received the LF polling signal with the highest signal strength todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 may be located within the widearea polling zone 130. If the polling signal module 202 determines thatthe determined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s)is below the local area threshold value(s) associated with the one ormore transceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to have received theLF polling response signal with the highest signal strength, the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 islocated within the wide area polling zone 130.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is located withinthe wide area polling zone 130 (at block 504), the method 500 mayproceed to block 506, wherein the method 500 may include transmitting ahigh power LF polling signal to the portable device(s) 126. In oneembodiment, during the portable device polling mode, the polling signalmodule 202 may send a command signal(s) to the communication controlunit 114 to initiate transmission of one or more high power LF pollingsignals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the commandsignal(s), the communication control unit 114 may utilize thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit the one or more high power LFpolling signals that reaches the entirety of each of the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f. The communication control unit 114 may beconfigured to control the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit apredetermined number of high power LF polling signals within apredetermined time period. In one embodiment, the communication controlunit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h totransmit the high power LF polling signals at a predetermined frequency(e.g., once per every 100 ms) to determine if the portable device(s) 126is located within at least one of the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f.

With continued reference to FIG. 5A, the method 500 may proceed to block508, wherein the method 500 may include determining if the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within at least one local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f. In an exemplary embodiment, if the portable device(s) 126is located within one or more of the local area polling zones 132 a-132f, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126 may receive thehigh power LF polling signal(s) transmitted by the transceivers 118a-118 h of the vehicle 102. Upon receiving the high power LF pollingsignal(s), the microprocessor 136 of the portable device(s) 126 mayinstruct the transceiver 138 to send one or more (short range) LFpolling response signals within a predetermined frequency (e.g., onceper every 500 ms). In one embodiment, the polling response signals mayinclude the specific identification code that is stored on themicroprocessor 136 that specifically corresponds to the portabledevice(s) 126 to be used as an identification mechanism by the ECU 110of the vehicle 102.

Upon receipt of the short range LF polling response signals by one ormore of the transceivers 118 a-118 h, the communication control unit 114may analyze data received by the signals and data pertaining to the oneor more transceivers 118 a-118 h that received the LF polling responsesignal(s) and may communicate one or more LF polling response datasignals to the polling signal module 202. Upon receipt of the one ormore LF polling response data signals, the polling signal module 202 mayevaluate the data and may determine the signal strength of at least oneof the received LF polling response signal(s). Additionally, the pollingsignal module 202 may evaluate the data from the short range power LFpolling response data signal(s) and may determine the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102 that received the LF pollingresponse signal(s) transmitted by the portable device(s) 126. Asdiscussed above, the polling signal module 202 may determine which oneof the transceivers 118 a-118 h received the LF polling response signalwith the highest signal strength and may access the storage unit 116 toretrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with the respectivetransceiver 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may comparethe determined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s)received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h against the signal strengththresholds associated with the respective transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h asstored on the storage unit 116. In particular, the polling signal module202 may compare the determined signal strength(s) of the LF pollingresponse signal(s) against the local area threshold value(s) associatedwith the one or more transceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined tohave received the LF polling response signal with the highest signalstrength to determine if the portable device(s) 126 may be locatedwithin at least one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f.

More specifically, if the polling signal module 202 determines that thedetermined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) isequal to or above the local area threshold value(s) associated with oneor more of the transceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to havereceived the LF response polling signal(s) with the highest signalstrength, the polling signal module 202 may then determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. The respective local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f may be located at a close proximity to the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to have received the LFresponse polling signal(s) with the highest signal strength. In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may be able to determine alocation of the portable device(s) 126 within the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f by determining and evaluating a difference betweenthe signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) and thelocal area threshold value(s) associated with the one or moretransceivers 118 a-118 h which are determined to have received the LFpolling response signal(s) with the highest signal strength.

As an illustrative example, if the transceiver 118 e is determined toreceive the LF polling response signal(s) with the highest signalstrength from the portable device 126, the polling signal module 202 maycompare the signal strength of the LF polling response signal(s)received against the local area threshold value associated with thetransceiver 118 e. If the signal strength of the LF polling responsesignal(s) is equal to or above the local area threshold value, thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126is located within the local area polling zone 132 e which is in closestproximity to the transceiver 118 e and the tailgate door 104 e. Thepolling signal module 202 may additionally determine the differencebetween the signal strength of the LF polling response signal(s) and thelocal area threshold value associated with the transceiver 118 e and mayfurther determine the location of the portable device(s) 126 within thelocal area polling zone 132 e.

As discussed, the method 500 provides additional detail with respect tothe blocks 402-406 of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Accordingly, blocks502-508 discussed above provide additional details as to determiningthat the portable device 126 is located within at least one local areazone of the vehicle 102, as determined at block 402 of the method 400.With reference to FIG. 4, upon determining that the portable device 126is located within the at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 fof the vehicle 102 (at block 402), the method 400 proceeds to block 404,wherein the method 400 may include determining if a portable device 126is stationary for a predetermined period of time within the at least onelocal area polling zone 132 a-132 f of the vehicle 102. In an exemplaryembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may make the aforementioneddetermination to further determine if the portable device(s) 126 isstationary (e.g., individual(s) carrying the portable device(s) 126 isstanding still) within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f outside of the door area zones 134 a-134 e of the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. As discussed above, the hand free door ASIC108 may utilize the determination of if the portable device(s) 126 isremaining stationary for a predetermined period of time to send signalsto open or close the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

With reference again to the method 500 of FIG. 5A, at block 510, themethod 500 may include determining if the portable device(s) 126 islocated within at least one door area zone 134 a-134 e. In an exemplaryembodiment, upon determining the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 fthat the portable device 126(a) is located within (at block 508), thepolling signal module 202 will determine if the portable device(s) 126is located within at least one door area zone 134 a-134 e. In otherwords, if it is determined (at block 508) that the portable device(s)126 is located within the local area polling zone 132 f (that does notdirectly include any of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e), the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is notlocated within at least one door area zone.

In one embodiment, if it is determined that the portable device(s) 126is located within at least one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132e, the polling signal module 202 may further evaluate the LF pollingresponse signal(s) to determine if the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin one or more of the door area zones 134 a-134 e. In an exemplaryembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may compare the determinedsignal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) against the doorarea threshold value(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 is located. Thiscomparison is conducted to determine if the portable device(s) 126 maybe located within at least one of the door area zones 134 a-134 e of thelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e.

More specifically, if the polling signal module 202 determines that thedetermined signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) isequal to or above the door area threshold value(s) associated with oneor more of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h, the polling signalmodule 202 may consequently determine that the portable device(s) 126 islocated within the respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e. In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may be able to determine aspecific location of the portable device(s) 126 within the door areazone(s) 134 a-134 e by determining and evaluating a difference betweenthe signal strength(s) of the LF polling response signal(s) and the doorarea threshold value(s) associated with the one or more transceivers 118a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to belocated.

As an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located in the local area polling zone 132 e, the polling signalmodule 202 may compare the signal strength of the LF polling responsesignal(s) received against the door area threshold value associated withthe transceiver 118 e. If the signal strength of the LF polling responsesignal(s) is equal to or above the door area threshold value associatedwith the door area zone 134 e, the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the portable device(s) 126 is located within the doorarea zone 134 e which is in closest proximity to the transceiver 118 eand the tailgate door 104 e. The polling signal module 202 mayadditionally determine the difference between the signal strength of theLF polling response signal(s) and the door area threshold valueassociated with the transceiver 118 e and may further determine thelocation of the portable device(s) 126 within the door area zone 134 e.This determination may enable the polling signal module 202 to determinethat the portable device(s) 126 may be located within the space occupiedby the tailgate door 104 e as it opens or closes.

With continued reference to the method 500 of FIG. 5A, if it isdetermined that the portable device(s) 126 is located within at leastone door area zone (at block 510), the method 500 may revert back toblock 506, wherein the method 500 may include transmitting a high powerLF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s) 126. If it is determinedthat the portable device 126 is not located within at least one doorarea zone (at block 510), the method 500 may proceed to block 512,wherein the method 500 may include analyzing a primary LF pollingresponse signal from the portable device(s) 126 and determining aprimary signal strength value. In an exemplary embodiment, upondetermining that the portable device(s) 126 is located within the atleast one local are polling zone 132 a-132 f (at block 508) anddetermining that the portable device(s) 126 is not located within atleast one door area zone 134 a-134 e (at block 510), the polling signalmodule 202 may send a command signal(s) to the communication controlunit 114 to reinitiate transmission of one or more high power LF pollingsignals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the commandsignal(s), the communication control unit 114 may utilize thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined tobe located to transmit the one or more high power LF polling signals.The one or more high power LF polling signals may reach the entirety ofrespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portabledevice(s) 126 is determined to be located.

Upon the portable device(s) 126 receiving the one or more high power LFpolling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126 maysend a LF polling response signal to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Thecommunication control unit 114 may communicate data from the received LFpolling response signal from the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h of thevehicle 102 that are in closest proximity to the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined tobe located to the polling signal module 202. Upon receiving the datapertaining to the LF polling response signal, the polling signal module202 may identify the LF polling response signal as a primary LF pollingresponse signal.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may analyze the primaryLF polling response signal and may determine the signal strength of theprimary LF polling response signal based on the LF polling responsesignal received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h of the vehicle 102that are in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located.Upon determining the signal strength of the primary LF polling responsesignal, the polling signal module 202 may determine a primary signalstrength value that is indicative of the signal strength of the primaryLF polling response signal.

The method 500 may proceed to block 514, wherein the method 500 mayinclude storing the primary signal strength value on the storage unit116. In one or more embodiments, upon determining the primary signalstrength value, the polling signal module 202 may access the storageunit 116 and may store the primary signal strength value on the storageunit 116. In some embodiments, the primary signal strength value may beaccessible to the polling signal module 202 until the portable device(s)126 is determined to no longer be located within the respective localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f or vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e isopened (e.g., manually opened by the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126).

FIG. 5B is a process flow diagram of a second part of the method 500 forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle door104 a-104 e according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5B will also be described with reference to thecomponents of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that themethod of FIG. 5B may be used with other systems and/or components. FIG.5B continues to provide additional detail with respect to block 404 ofthe method 400 of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the method 500 may proceed to block 516, whereinthe method 500 may include determining if the portable device(s) 126 isstill located within the at least one local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may send acommand signal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to reinitiatetransmission of one or more high power LF polling signals by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the command signal(s), thecommunication control unit 114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118h that are in close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be locatedto transmit the one or more high power LF polling signals. The one ormore high power LF polling signals may reach the entirety of respectivelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located.

If the portable device(s) 126 is still located within the respectivelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, upon receiving the one or morehigh power LF polling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portabledevice(s) 126 may send a LF polling response signal to thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the LF polling responsesignal by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in close proximity tothe local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portabledevice(s) 126 is determined to be located, data from the received LFpolling response signal may be communicated to the polling signal module202 by the communication control unit 114. The polling signal module 202may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is still located within atleast one local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which it wasdetermined to be located (as discussed with reference to block 508)based on the receipt of the data from the received LF polling responsesignal. Conversely, the portable device(s) 126 is no longer locatedwithin the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, thepolling signal module 202 will not receive the data from the received LFpolling response signal and may therefore determine that the portabledevice(s) 126 is no longer located within the local area polling zone(s)132 a-132 f. In the circumstance in which the portable device(s) 126 isno longer located within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 d, the method 500 may revert to block 502, wherein the method 500may include transmitting a low power LF polling signal(s) to theportable device(s) 126.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is still locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f (at block516), the method 500 may proceed to optional block 518, wherein themethod 500 may optionally include unlocking respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e based on the location of the portable device(s) 126. In anexemplary embodiment, upon determining the portable device(s) 126 isstill located within at least one of the local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may send a correspondingsignal(s) to the door actuation module 204 that may indicate the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located. In one or more embodiments, the correspondingsignal(s) may be sent to the door actuation module 204 immediately priorto sending signal(s) to supply power to the one or more motors 106 a-106e to open one or more of the respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the door actuationmodule 204 may determine the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is locatedin close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. The dooractuation module 204 may send a command signal(s) to the power controlunit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the motor(s) 106a-106 e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is locatedin close proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f tounlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e.

In one or more embodiments, when the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin one of the respective local area polling zones 132 a-132 f thedoor actuation module 204 may send the command signal(s) to the powercontrol unit 112 to supply the predetermined amount of power to the oneor more motors 106 a-106 d. In particular, the command signal(s) may besent to the one or more motors 106 a-106 d associated with the one ormore respective vehicle doors 104 a-104 d that are located at the frontportion 128 a and/or the middle portion 128 b of the vehicle 102 tounlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 d of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 d. When the portable device(s) 126 is located within the pollingzone 132 e, the door actuation module 204 may send the command signal(s)to the power control unit 112 to supply the predetermined amount ofpower to the motor 106 e to unlock the lock 122 e of the tailgate door104 e.

In an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located within the local area polling zone 132 a, the dooractuation module 204 may send the command signal(s) to unlock the lock122 a of the left side front door 104 a. Alternatively, if the portabledevice(s) 126 is determined to be located within the local area pollingzone 132 e, the door actuation module 204 may send the command signal(s)to directly open the tailgate door 104 e as long as the portabledevice(s) 126 is not determined to be located within the door area zone134 e.

In an additional embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the dooractuation module 204 may determine the portion of the vehicle 102 thatis in closest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. The dooractuation module 204 may send a command signal(s) to the power controlunit 112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the motor(s) 106a-106 e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that isdetermined to be located at the portion of the vehicle 102 that is inclosest proximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f tounlock the lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e.

In an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is determinedto be located within the local area polling zone 132 a, the dooractuation module 204 may send the command signal(s) to unlock the lock122 a of the left side front door 104 a and the lock 122 b of the leftside rear door 104 b as the respective door locks 122 a, 122 b andvehicle doors 104 a, 104 b are located at a left portion of the vehicle102. Similarly, if the portable device(s) 126 is determined to belocated within the local area polling zone 132 f, the door actuationmodule 204 may send the command signal(s) to unlock the lock 122 a ofthe left side front door 104 a and the lock 122 c of the right sidefront door 104 c as they are located at the front portion 128 a of thevehicle 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 5B, the method 500 may proceed to block520, wherein the method 500 may include analyzing a second LF pollingresponse signal from the portable device(s) 126 and determining asecondary signal strength value. As discussed above (with respect toblock 508), upon receipt of the LF polling response signal by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in close proximity to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s) 126 isdetermined to be located, data from the received LF polling responsesignal may be communicated to the polling signal module 202 by thecommunication control unit 114. Upon receiving the data pertaining tothe LF polling response signal, the polling signal module 202 mayidentify the LF polling response signal as a secondary LF pollingresponse signal.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may analyze thesecondary LF polling response signal and may determine the signalstrength of the secondary LF polling response signal. Upon determiningthe signal strength of the secondary LF polling response signal, thepolling signal module 202 may determine a secondary signal strengthvalue that is indicative of the signal strength of the secondary LFpolling response signal.

The method 500 may proceed to block 522, wherein the method 500 mayinclude determining if a difference between the secondary signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value is below apredetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primarysignal strength value which was previously stored on the storage unit116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block 514). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a difference between the secondarysignal strength value and the primary signal strength value and output aprimary/secondary difference value. It is to be appreciated that incircumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determines that theportable device(s) 126 is located within more than one of the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g., portable device 126 is located withinand between the local area polling zone 132 a and the local area pollingzone 132 b), the polling signal module 202 may access the storage unit116 to retrieve the primary signal strength values associated with thetransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g., the transceiver 118 a in closestproximity to the local area polling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118b in closest proximity to the local area polling zone 132 b). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a respective difference valuebetween the second signal strength values and the primary signalstrength values for each of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon computing the signal strengthdifference value of the secondary and the primary signal strengthvalues, the polling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 toretrieve the one or more signal strength deviation threshold values thatare associated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to thelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located. As discussed above, the one or moresignal strength deviation threshold values may provide a maximumdeviation of signal strength between two or more LF polling responsesignals to determine if the portable device(s) 126 are stationary ormoving within the one or more local area polling zones 132 a-132 f. Itis to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is located withinmore than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f, the pollingsignal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the signalstrength thresholds associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h thatare in closest proximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one embodiment, upon retrieving the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare theprimary/secondary difference value(s) to the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s). If the polling signal module 202 determines that theprimary/secondary differential value(s) is below the signal strengthdeviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the primary/secondary difference value(s) is within apredetermined stationary range and that the portable device(s) 126 isremaining stationary. The predetermined stationary range may include arange of difference values that may indicate an estimation that theportable device(s) 126 are remaining in a stationary position within therespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the secondary signal strength value and theprimary signal strength value and may output the primary/secondarydifference value of 40 h. The polling signal module 202 may compare theprimary/secondary difference value of 40 h against the signal strengthdeviation threshold value of 100 h and may determine that the portabledevice(s) 126 is within the predetermined stationary range (−100 h to100 h) and that the portable device(s) 126 is remaining stationary.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may operablycommunicate with a plurality of vehicle systems 208 to provide one ormore notifications to the individual(s) carrying the portable device(s)126. The notifications may be provided to inform the individual that ifthe portable device(s) 126 remains in the stationary position for thepredetermined period of time and is not moved to the door area zones 134a-134 e, the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may be opened or closed afterthe expiration of the predetermined period of time. In one or moreembodiments, the polling signal module 202 may communicate with thewindow notification system 210, the lighting system 212, theinfotainment system 214, and/or the BCM to provide the notificationsthat may include a countdown notification that may present a countdowntimer that counts down the remaining amount of time before theexpiration of the predetermined amount of time to automatically open therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. The countdown timer may actuatea countdown sequence that may include a total time that isrepresentative of the amount of time that is deemed to be appropriatefor the portable device(s) 126 to be remaining stationary within the oneor more of the local zones 132 a-132 f in order for the hand free doorASIC 108 to safely actuate powered opening of one or more vehicle doors104 a-104 e determined to be located in close proximity to the portabledevice(s) 126.

If it is determined that the difference between the secondary signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value is not below thepredetermined threshold (at block 522), the method 500 may proceed toblock 524, wherein the method 500 may include estimating that theportable device(s) 126 is not stationary within the at least one localarea polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one embodiment, if the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the primary/secondary difference value isabove the signal strength deviation threshold value(s), the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the primary/secondary differencevalue is not within the predetermined stationary range. Therefore, thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126is not remaining stationary. The method 500 may then revert back toblock 502, wherein the method 500 may once again include transmitting alow power LF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s) 126, asdiscussed in detail above. In one embodiment, the polling signal module202 may operably communicate with a plurality of vehicle systems 208 toprovide a notification to the individual(s) that the portable device(s)126 have been determined not to have remained stationary for thepredetermined amount of time required to automatically open the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e.

With continued reference to FIG. 5B, if it is determined that thedifference between the secondary signal strength value and the primarysignal strength value is below the predetermined threshold (at block522), the method 500 may proceed to block 526, wherein the method 500may include determining if a predetermined period of time has expired.As discussed above, the predetermined period of time utilized by thepolling signal module 202 may be an amount of time that is deemed to beappropriate for the portable device(s) 126 to be remaining stationarywithin the one or more of the local zones 132 a-132 f in order for thehand free door ASIC 108 to safely actuate powered opening of one or morevehicle doors 104 a-104 e determined to be located in closest proximityto the portable device(s) 126. As discussed above, the polling signalmodule 202 may execute the timer that is utilized to determine if thepredetermined period of time has expired to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 remains stationary for the predetermined period of time.

As discussed, the method 500 provides additional detail with respect tothe blocks 402-406 of the method 400 of FIG. 4. Accordingly, blocks510-526 discussed above provide additional details as to determiningthat the portable device 126 is stationary for the predetermined periodof time within the at least one local area zone of the vehicle 102, asdetermined at block 404 of the method 400. Referring to method 400 ofFIG. 4, upon determining that the portable device 126 is stationary forthe predetermined period of time within the at least one local areapolling zone 132 a-132 f of the vehicle 102 (at block 404), the method400 may proceed to block 406, wherein the method 400 may includesupplying an amount of power to the motor 106 a-106 e associated withthe at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e to open or close the at leastone vehicle door 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon determining that the position of theportable device(s) 126 is stationary for the predetermined period oftime (at block 404), the polling signal module 202 may communicate withthe door actuation module 204 to determine if the vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e that is located in close proximity to the location of theportable device(s) 126 is closed. If the polling signal module 202determines that the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is closed,the polling signal module 202 may send an actuation command to the dooractuation module 204 to actuate powered opening of the vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e that is located in close proximity to the location of theportable device(s) 126. In some embodiments, the polling signal module202 may only send the actuation command to the door actuation module 204upon determining that the location of the portable device(s) 126 is notwithin one of the door area zones 134 a-134 e that may include the spaceoccupied by the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e as it is beingopened to ensure that opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e may not be physically obstructed by individual(s) that may becarrying the portable device(s) 126.

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the actuation command from thepolling signal module 202, the door actuation module 204 may send one ormore command signals to the power control unit 112 of the vehicle 102 toprovide a first requisite amount of power to the respective motor(s) 106a-106 e to start opening the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is locatedin close proximity to the location of the portable device(s) 126, basedon the utilization of the signal strength thresholds, as discussedabove.

In some embodiments, as the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is inthe process of being opened by the respective motor(s) 106 a-106 e, themotor(s) 106 a-106 e may provide a level of opening of the respectivevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (e.g., an angle at which the tailgate door104 e is currently opened, a percentage of opening of the tailgate door104 e) to the door actuation module 204. As discussed below, in someembodiments, the door actuation module 204 may provide data signals thatinclude the level of opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e to the sensor control module 206.

In an illustrative example, once it is determined that the portabledevice(s) 126 is remaining stationary (e.g., the individual(s) carryingthe portable device(s) 126 is standing still possibly waiting for thetailgate door 104 e to be opened) for the predetermined period of timeand that the portable device(s) 126 is not located within the door areazone 134 e, the motor 106 e is provided the first requisite amount ofpower to start opening the tailgate door 104 e so that the tailgate door104 e that is configured as a lift gate door (similar to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 7B) starts to lift into an open position.

In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theposition of the portable device(s) 126 is stationary for thepredetermined period of time (at block 404), the polling signal module202 may communicate with the door actuation module 204 to determine ifthe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that is located in close proximity tothe location of the portable device(s) 126 is open. If the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e is open, the polling signal module 202 may send one or morerespective signals to the door actuation module 204 to actuate poweredclosing of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. More specifically, thepolling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to the dooractuation module 204 to actuate the powered closing of the respectivevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In some embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may only send theactuation command to the door actuation module 204 upon determining thatthe location of the portable device(s) 126 is not within the respectivedoor area zone(s) 134 a-134 e that includes the space occupied by therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e as it is being closed to ensurethat closing of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may not bephysically obstructed by the individual(s) that may be carrying theportable device(s) 126. In an exemplary embodiment, upon receiving thecommand signal(s) from the polling signal module 202, the door actuationmodule 204 may send one or more command signals to the power controlunit 112 to provide a second requisite amount of power to the motor(s)106 a-106 e to start powered closing of the respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e.

In an illustrative example, once it is determined that the portabledevice(s) 126 is stationary (e.g., the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 is standing still possibly waiting for thetailgate door 104 e to be opened) for the predetermined period of timeand that the portable device(s) 126 is not located within the door areazone 134 e that includes the space occupied by the tailgate door 104 ewhen it may be closed, the motor 106 e is provided the second requisiteamount of power to start closing the tailgate door 104 e so that thetailgate door 104 e that is configured as a lift gate door (similar tothe configuration shown in FIG. 6B) starts to drop into a closedposition.

FIG. 5C is a process flow diagram of a third part of the method 500 forproviding hands free powered opening of the at least one vehicle door104 a-104 e according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5C will be described with reference to the componentsof FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that the method ofFIG. 5C may be used with other systems and/or components. If it isdetermined that the predetermined period of time has not expired (atblock 526 of FIG. 5B), the method 500 may proceed to block 528, whereinthe method 500 may include storing the secondary signal strength valueon the storage unit 116. This scenario may occur when the portabledevice(s) 126 is determined to be remaining stationary (at block 522)but the predetermined period of time has not yet expired in order toactuate powered opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e(as determine at block 526). In an exemplary embodiment, the pollingsignal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 and store thesecondary signal strength value (previously determined, as discussedwith respect to block 520) on the storage unit 116. In some embodiments,the secondary signal strength value may be accessible to the pollingsignal module 202 until the portable device(s) 126 is determined to nolonger be located within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f or the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is opened.

The method 500 may proceed to block 530, wherein the method 500 mayinclude determining if the portable device(s) 126 is still locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In oneembodiment, the polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s)to the communication control unit 114 to reinitiate transmission of oneor more high power LF polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h(as discussed in detail above with respect to block 516). If theportable device(s) 126 is still located within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, upon receiving the one or more high powerLF polling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126may send a LF polling response signal to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h.

Upon receipt of the LF polling response signal by the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h that are near to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located, data fromthe received LF polling response signal may be communicated to thepolling signal module 202 by the communication control unit 114. Thepolling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126is still located within at least one local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 e in which it was previously determined to be located (asdiscussed at block 508) based on the receipt of the data from thereceived LF polling response signal. Conversely, if the portabledevice(s) 126 is no longer located within the respective local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 will notreceive the data from the received LF polling response signal and maytherefore determine that the portable device(s) 126 is no longer locatedwithin the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is no longer locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone (at block 530), themethod 500 may proceed to optional block 532, wherein the method 500 mayinclude locking the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e based on theprevious location of the portable device(s) 126 within the at least onelocal area polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one or more embodiments, upondetermining that the portable device(s) 126 is no longer located withinthe local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f as previously determined tobe located (as discussed with respect to block 508), the polling signalmodule 202 may send a signal(s) to the door actuation module 204 to lockthe respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that was previously unlocked(as discussed with respect to optional block 518).

In one embodiment, upon receipt of the signal(s), the door actuationmodule 204 may determine the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that waspreviously unlocked that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 wasdetermined to be located (as discussed with respect to block 508). Thedoor actuation module 204 may send a signal(s) to the power control unit112 to supply a predetermined amount of power to the motor(s) 106 a-106e associated with the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e to lock the lock(s)122 a-122 e of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In an illustrative example, if the portable device(s) 126 is no longerdetermined to be located within the local area polling zone 132 a, aswas previously determined to be located, the door actuation module 204may send the command signal(s) to lock the lock 122 a of the left sidefront door 104 a. The method 500 may then revert back to block 524(shown in FIG. 5B), wherein the method 500 may include estimating thatthe portable device(s) 126 is not stationary for a predetermined periodof time.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is still locatedwithin the at least one local area polling zone (at block 530), themethod 500 may proceed to block 534, wherein the method 500 may includeanalyzing a third LF polling response signal from the portable device(s)126 and determining a third signal strength value. As discussed above,upon receipt of the LF polling response signal by the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h that are near to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e inwhich the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be located, data fromthe received LF polling response signal may be communicated to thepolling signal module 202 by the communication control unit 114. Uponreceiving the data pertaining to the LF polling response signal, thepolling signal module 202 may identify the LF polling response signal asa third LF polling response signal. In one embodiment, the pollingsignal module 202 may analyze the third LF polling response signal andmay determine the signal strength of the third LF polling responsesignal. Upon determining the signal strength of the third LF pollingresponse signal, the polling signal module 202 may determine a thirdsignal strength value that is indicative of the signal strength of thethird LF polling response signal.

With continued reference to the method 500, at block 536, the method 500may include determining if a difference between the third signalstrength and the primary signal strength value is below thepredetermined threshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primarysignal strength value which was previously stored on the storage unit116 by the polling signal module 202 (as discussed at block 514). Thepolling signal module 202 may compute a difference between the thirdsignal strength value and the primary signal strength value and output aprimary/third difference value.

It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin more than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g.,portable device 126 is located within and between the local area pollingzone 132 a and the local area polling zone 132 b) the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the primarysignal strength values associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h thatare in close proximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f(e.g., the transceiver 118 a is in close proximity to the local areapolling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118 b is in close proximity tothe local area polling zone 132 b) and may compute a difference betweenthe third signal strength values and the primary signal strength valuesfor each of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon computing the signal strengthdifference value(s) of the third and primary signal strength values, thepolling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrievethe one or more signal strength deviation threshold values that areassociated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in closeproximity to the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which theportable device(s) 126 is determined to be located. As discussed above,in circumstances in which the polling signal module 202 determines thatthe portable device(s) 126 is located within more than one of the localarea polling zones 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may accessthe storage unit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholdsassociated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closestproximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one embodiment, upon retrieving the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare theprimary/third difference value(s) to the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s). If the polling signal module 202 determines that theprimary/third differential value(s) is below the signal strengthdeviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the primary/third difference value(s) is within apredetermined stationary range.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the third signal strength value and the primarysignal strength value and may output the primary/third difference valueof 40 h. The polling signal module 202 may compare the primary/thirddifference value of 40 h against the signal strength deviation thresholdvalue of 100 h and may determine that the portable device(s) 126 iswithin the predetermined stationary range (−100 h to 100 h).

If it is determined that the difference between the third signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value is not below thepredetermined threshold (at block 536), the method 500 may revert toblock 524, wherein the method 500 may include estimating that theportable device(s) 126 is not stationary within the at least one localarea polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one embodiment, if the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the primary/third difference value is abovethe signal strength deviation threshold value(s), the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the primary/third difference value is notwithin the predetermined stationary range. Therefore, the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is notremaining stationary.

If it is determined that the difference between the third signalstrength value and the primary signal strength value is below thepredetermined threshold (at block 536), the method 500 may proceed toblock 538, wherein the method 500 may include determining if adifference between the third signal strength value and the secondarysignal strength value is below the predetermined threshold. In anexemplary embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may access thestorage unit 116 to retrieve the secondary signal strength value whichwas previously stored on the storage unit 116 by the polling signalmodule 202 (as discussed at block 528). The polling signal module 202may compute a difference between the third signal strength value and thesecondary signal strength value and output a secondary/third differencevalue.

It is to be appreciated that in circumstances in which the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the portable device(s) 126 is locatedwithin more than one of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f (e.g.,portable device 126 is located within and between the local area pollingzone 132 a and the local area polling zone 132 b) the polling signalmodule 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrieve the secondarysignal strength values associated with the transceivers 118 a-118 h thatare in closest proximity to the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f(e.g., the transceiver 118 a in close proximity to the local areapolling zone 132 a, and the transceiver 118 b in close proximity to thelocal area polling zone 132 b) and may compute a difference between thethird signal strength values and the secondary signal strength valuesfor each of the respective transceivers 118 a-118 h.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon computing the signal strengthdifference value of the third and secondary signal strength values, thepolling signal module 202 may access the storage unit 116 to retrievethe one or more signal strength deviation threshold values that areassociated with the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are near to thelocal area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which the portable device(s)126 is determined to be located. As discussed above, in circumstances inwhich the polling signal module 202 determines that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within more than one of the local area pollingzones 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may access the storageunit 116 to retrieve the signal strength thresholds associated with thetransceivers 118 a-118 h that are in closest proximity to the local areapolling zones 132 a-132 f.

In one embodiment, upon retrieving the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 may compare thesecondary/third difference value(s) to the signal strength deviationthreshold value(s). If the polling signal module 202 determines that thesecondary/third differential value(s) is below the signal strengthdeviation threshold value(s), the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the secondary/third difference value(s) is within apredetermined stationary range. Additionally, since the polling signalmodule 202 previously determined that the primary/third difference valueis within the predetermined stationary range (as discussed at block536), the polling signal module 202 may determine that the portabledevice(s) 126 are remaining in the stationary position within therespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

As an illustrative example, the polling signal module 202 may determinethe difference between the third signal strength value and the secondarysignal strength value and may output the secondary/third differencevalue of −40 h. The polling signal module 202 may compare thesecondary/third difference value of −40 h against the signal strengthdeviation threshold value of 100 h and may determine that the portabledevice(s) 126 is within the predetermined stationary range (−100 h to100 h).

If it is determined that the difference between the third signalstrength value and the secondary signal strength value is not below thepredetermined threshold (at block 538), the method 500 may revert toblock 524, wherein the method 500 may include estimating that theportable device(s) 126 is not stationary within the at least one localarea polling zone 132 a-132 f. In one embodiment, if the polling signalmodule 202 determines that the secondary/third difference value is abovethe signal strength deviation threshold value(s), the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the secondary/third difference value isnot within the predetermined stationary range. Therefore, the pollingsignal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is notremaining stationary. The method 500 may then revert back to back toblock 502, wherein the method 500 may once again include transmitting alow power LF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s) 126, asdiscussed in detail above.

It is contemplated that the method 500 may continue by determining ifthe predetermined period of time has expired for the polling signalmodule 202 to continue to analyze one or more additional subsequent LFpolling response signals (e.g., fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. number ofsignals) from the portable device(s) 126 in a similar manner asdiscussed above until the expiration of the predetermined period of timeis determined. In such a scenario, the polling signal module 202 mayoperably communicate with a plurality of vehicle systems 208 to provideone or more notifications to the individual(s) holding the portabledevice(s) 126 to inform the individual(s) that if the portable device(s)126 is in the stationary position for the predetermined period of timeand is not moved to enter the door area zones 134 a-134 e, the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e may be opened or closed after the expiration of thepredetermined period of time. It is also contemplated that the method500 may end if the portable device(s) 126 is determined to be remainingstationary until the expiration of the predetermined period of time atwhich point the hand free door ASIC 108 may execute supplying the firstamount of power to the motor 106 a-106 e associated with the at leastone vehicle door 104 a-104 e to open the at least one vehicle door 104a-104 e (as discussed above with respect to block 406 of the method400).

It is to be appreciated that the process of method 500 may be utilizedto open or close the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. With respect to theclosing of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the polling signal module202 of the hand free door ASIC 108 may analyze a number of LF pollingsignals against the signal strength thresholds to determine that theportable device(s) 126 is located outside of the one or more door areazones 134 a-134 e and the portable device(s) 126 remains stationary fora second predetermined period of time to actuate closing of the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e.

In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202 determines thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is open and that the portable device(s) 126is remaining stationary for the second predetermined period of timewithin the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f and outside of thedoor area zone(s) 134 a-134 e, the polling signal module 202 may sendone or more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 toactuate powered closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e. The polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s) to thedoor actuation module 204 to actuate the powered closing of therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In particular, the hand freedoor ASIC 108 may execute supplying the second amount of power to themotor 106 a-106 e associated with the at least one vehicle door 104a-104 e to close the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e (as discussedabove with respect to block 406 of the method 400).

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a method 600 for providing handsfree powered closing of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e withLF polling according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method 600 includes an additional embodiment utilized bythe hand free door ASIC 108 to actuate powered closing of the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e. FIG. 6 will be described with reference to thecomponents of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that themethod of FIG. 6 may be used with other systems and/or components.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method 600 may start at block 602,wherein the method 600 may include determining if a door input button(s)124 a-124 e has been inputted by an individual(s) to indicate an intentto close a respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In one embodiment,upon input of one or more of the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e, asignal(s) may be sent from the respective door input button(s) 124 a-124e to the door actuation module 204. The door actuation module 204 maycommunicate a respective signal(s) to the polling signal module 202.Based on the receipt of the signal(s), the polling signal module 202 maydetermine that the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e have been inputtedto indicate the intent to close the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e that were previously opened.

If it is determined that the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e isinputted by the individual(s) to indicate the intent to close therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (at block 602), the method 600may proceed to block 604, wherein the method 600 may includetransmitting a high power LF polling signal(s) to the portable device(s)126. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may send a commandsignal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to initiate transmissionof one or more high power LF polling signals by the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h. Upon receipt of the command signal(s), the communicationcontrol unit 114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmitthe one or more high power LF polling signals that reaches the entiretyof each of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 f. The communicationcontrol unit 114 may be configured to control the transceiver(s) 118a-118 h to transmit a predetermined number of high power LF pollingsignals within a predetermined time period. In one embodiment, thecommunication control unit 114 may be configured to control thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to transmit the polling signals at apredetermined frequency (e.g., once per every 100 ms) to determine ifthe portable device(s) 126 is located within the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f.

The method 600 may proceed to block 606, wherein the method 600 mayinclude determining if the portable device(s) 126 is located within theat least one local area polling zone 132 a-132 f after a predeterminedperiod of time. In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 maycontinually transmit the high power LF polling signal(s) to the portabledevice(s) 126 for a second predetermined period of time. The secondpredetermined period of time may include a period of time that may besufficient for the portable device(s) 126 to be moved away from thevicinity of the vehicle 102 that may be indicative of an intent to walkaway from the vehicle 102 by the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126. In other words, the predetermined period of time mayinclude a period of time that is sufficient to indicate that theportable device(s) 126 may not be subsequently moved towards the vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e after being moved away from the vehicle 102.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may send acommand signal(s) to the communication control unit 114 to reinitiatetransmission of one or more high power LF polling signals by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h. Upon receipt of the command signal(s), thecommunication control unit 114 may utilize the transceiver(s) 118 a-118h to transmit the one or more high power LF polling signals that mayreach the entirety of the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f.

If the portable device(s) 126 is located within the local area pollingzone(s) 132 a-132 f, upon receiving the one or more high power LFpolling signals, the transceiver 138 of the portable device(s) 126 maysend a LF polling response signal to the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h.Upon receipt of the high power LF polling response signal(s) by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h that are in close proximity to the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 e, data from the received high power LFpolling response signal may be communicated to the polling signal module202 by the communication control unit 114. The polling signal module 202may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is located within at leastone local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 e in which it was determined tobe located based on the receipt of the data from the received LF pollingresponse signal. Conversely, if the portable device(s) 126 is no longerlocated within the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f,the polling signal module 202 will not receive the data from thereceived LF polling response signal. Consequently, the polling signalmodule 202 may determine that the portable device(s) 126 is no longerlocated within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f. Therefore,the polling signal module 202 may determine that the portable device(s)126 is being moved away from the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is not locatedwithin the local area polling zone after a predetermined period of time,the method 600 may proceed to block 608, wherein the method 600 mayinclude supplying a second amount of power to close at least one vehicledoor 104 a-104 e. In one embodiment, if the polling signal module 202determines that the portable device(s) 126 is being moved away from thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the polling signal module 202 may send oneor more respective signals to the door actuation module 204 to actuatepowered closing and/or locking of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. Morespecifically, the polling signal module 202 may send a command signal(s)to the door actuation module 204 to actuate the powered closing of therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In an exemplary embodiment, uponreceiving the command signal(s) from the polling signal module 202, thedoor actuation module 204 may send one or more command signals to thepower control unit 112 to provide a second requisite amount of power tothe motor(s) 106 a-106 e to start powered closing the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e. In one embodiment, upon the (full) closure of therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e, the door actuation module 204may send a signal(s) to the lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the vehicle 102 toactuate locking of the respective lock(s) 122 a-122 e of the closedvehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

The method 600 may proceed to block 610, wherein the method 600 maydetermine if the portable device(s) 126 reenters the respective localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f as the at least one vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e is closing. In one embodiment, as the respective vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e is in the process of being closed by the motor(s) 106 a-106e, the motor 106 e may provide a level of closing of the tailgate door104 e (e.g., an angle at which the tailgate door 104 e is currentlyclosed) to the door actuation module 204 and the polling signal module202. Upon evaluating the level of closing and determining that thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e has not yet closed, the polling signalmodule 202 may utilize the signal strength thresholds that pertain tothe one or more LF polling response signals received by thetransceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to determine the location of the portabledevice(s) 126. More specifically, the polling signal module 202 mayutilize the local area threshold value(s) to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 reenters the respective local area polling zone(s) 132a-132 f in which the portable device(s) 126 was previously located(e.g., near to the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that are being closed).If the polling signal module 202 determines that the portable device(s)126 is again located within the local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f,the polling signal module 202 may send a corresponding signal(s) to thedoor actuation module 204 to indicate that the portable device(s) 126re-enters the respective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f in whichit was previously located when the closing of the vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e was actuated (at block 608).

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 re-enters at leastone local area polling zone 132 a-132 f as the at least one vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e is closing (at block 610), the method 600 mayproceed to block 612, wherein the method 600 may include determining ifthe portable device(s) 126 is located within a predetermined distance ofa respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e associated with the at leastone vehicle door 104 a-104 e that is being closed. In one embodiment,upon determining that the portable device(s) 126 re-enters therespective local area polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signalmodule 202 may further determine if the portable device(s) 126 is movedtowards and is located (e.g., crosses) at a predetermined distance ofthe respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e that is associated (e.g.,closest to) the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. The pollingsignal module 202 may establish the predetermined distance to indicateareas within each of the local area polling zones 132 a-132 e that maybe used to determine that the individual(s) carrying the portabledevice(s) 126 may be intending to return to the vehicle 102 and re-enteror reach into the vehicle 102 through the respective vehicle door(s) 104a-104 e that is in the process of being closed.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may utilizethe local area threshold value(s) to determine if the portable device(s)126 is located at the predetermined distance of the respective door areazone 134 a-134 e based on the signal strength of the received LF pollingresponse signals. In particular, the predetermined distance of therespective door area zones 134 a-134 e may be identified by signalstrength values that are adjusted from the door area threshold values inorder for the polling signal module 202 to determine if the portabledevice(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distance. Morespecifically, upon receiving the LF polling response signal(s) from theportable device(s) 126, the polling signal module 202 may evaluate thesignal strength(s) of the received signal(s) and may further compare thesignal strength(s) to the door area threshold values. If the pollingsignal module 202 determines that the signal strength(s) are higher thanthe respective door area threshold values, the polling signal module 202may further determine if the signal strength(s) are equivalent to thesignal strength values that are adjusted from the door area thresholdvalues in order for the polling signal module 202 to determine if theportable device(s) 126 is located at the predetermined distance.

If it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is located within apredetermined distance of a respective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 eassociated with the at least one vehicle door 104 that is being closed(at block 612), the method 600 may proceed to block 614, wherein themethod 600 may include stopping closure of the at least one vehicle door104 a-104 e. In one embodiment, upon determining that the portabledevice(s) 126 is located within the predetermined distance of therespective door area zone(s) 134 a-134 e, the polling signal module 202may send a command signal(s) to the door actuation module 204 to ceasethe powered closing of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. In anexemplary embodiment, upon receiving the command signal(s) from thepolling signal module 202, the door actuation module 204 may send one ormore command signals to the power control unit 112 to stop providing thesecond requisite amount of power to the motor(s) 106 a-106 e to stop thepowered closing of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

In one or more embodiments, the polling signal module 202 mayadditionally send an actuation command to the door actuation module 204to actuate powered opening of the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e that islocated in close proximity to the location of the portable device(s)126. In some embodiments, the polling signal module 202 may only sendthe actuation command to the door actuation module 204 upon determiningthat the location of the portable device(s) 126 is not within one of thedoor area zones 134 a-134 e that may include the space occupied by therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e as it is being opened to ensurethat opening of the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e may not bephysically obstructed by individual(s).

As an illustrative example, the door actuation module 204 sends one ormore command signals to the power control unit 112 to provide a secondrequisite amount of power to the motor(s) 106 e to start closing thetailgate door 104 e (at block 608) upon determining that the portabledevice(s) 126 is not located within the local area polling zone 132 e inwhich it was previously located when the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 was previously placing objects within the withinthe rear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle 102. As the tailgatedoor 104 e is closing, the polling signal module 202 may determine thatthe portable device(s) 126 is moved to re-enter the local area pollingzone 132 e (at block 610) and may further determine that the portabledevice (s) 126 is located within the predetermined distance of the doorarea zone 134 e (at block 612) as the portable device(s) 126 is movedback towards the tailgate door 104 e as it is being closed.

These determinations may be utilized by the hand free door ASIC 108 tostop the closure of the tailgate door 104 e (at block 614) to ensurethat it does not fully close as the portable device(s) 126 is beingmoved back towards the tailgate door 104 e (e.g., as the individual(s)holding the portable device(s) 126 re-approaches the tailgate door 104e). Additionally, if the polling signal module 202 determines that theportable device(s) 126 has not been moved back into the door area zone134 e, the polling signal module 202 may actuate the powered re-openingof the tailgate door 104 e from a stopped semi-closed state. Thisfunctionality ensures that the tailgate door 104 e does not close andmay reopen to allow the individual(s) to place/remove object(s)within/from the rear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle 102.

FIG. 7A is a process flow diagram of a method 700 for providing handsfree powered closing of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e withmotion sensing according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 7A will be described with reference to the componentsof FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 though it is to be appreciated that the method 700of FIG. 7A may be used with other systems and/or components. It is to beappreciated that one or more aspects of the method 700 may be utilizedwithin the method 600 (of FIG. 6), discussed above to provide hands freepowered closing of the at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e with LFpolling and motion sensing.

The method 700 may start at block 702, wherein the method 700 mayinclude activating a motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sense the movementof an individual(s) and/or object(s) within a predetermined detectionrange of the motion sensor 120 e. In an exemplary embodiment, uponsending the one or more command signals to the power control unit 112 ofthe vehicle 102 to provide the first requisite amount of power to themotor(s) 106 a-106 e to start opening one or more of the vehicle doors104 a-104 e (as discussed above with respect to block 406 of method400), the door actuation module 204 may send an indication signal(s) tothe sensor control module 206. The indication signal(s) may be sent toindicate to the sensor control module 206 that the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e is in the process of being opened. In oneembodiment, upon receiving the indication signal(s) from the dooractuation module 204, the sensor control module 206 may send theactivation signal(s) to the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to activate themotion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sense the movement of the individual(s)and/or the object(s) (placed by the individual(s)) within thepredetermined detection range of the motion sensor 120 e.

In another embodiment, upon receiving the aforementioned indicationsignal(s) from the door actuation module 204, the sensor control module206 may await an input of the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e that maybe inputted by the individual(s) to indicate that the individual(s)intends for the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e to be closedbefore sending the activation signal(s) to the motion sensor 120 e. Uponreceiving an input of the door input button(s) 124 a-124 e, a respectivesignal(s) may be sent by the door actuation module 204 to the sensorcontrol module 206 to indicate the individual's intent for therespective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e to be closed. Upon receipt of theinput signal(s), the sensor control module 206 may send the activationsignal(s) to the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to activate the motionsensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sense the movement of the individual(s) and/orthe object(s) within the predetermined detection range of vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e.

FIG. 7B is an illustration of a motion sensor utilizing a predetermineddetection range of the tailgate door according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. For the purposes of simplicity,the predetermined detection range will now be described with respect tothe tailgate door 104 e and associated components. However, it is to beappreciated that this disclosure applies to any of the vehicle door(s)104 a-104 e and the corresponding components of and/or associated to theone or more of the vehicle doors 104 a-104 e.

In an exemplary embodiment, the motion sensor 120 e may operate todetermine if the individual(s) (e.g., individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126) is within the predetermined detection range ofthe tailgate door 104 e. The predetermined detection range may be astatic or dynamic sensing range of the motion sensor 120 e that includesthe space depicted by the portion labeled as CS' in FIG. 7B that isoccupied by the tailgate door 104 e as its being opened. The portion ‘S’may also include the space occupied by the tailgate door 104 e as it isbeing closed. As described below, the motion sensor 120 e may operate todetermine if the individual(s) and/or object(s) are moving within thepredetermined detection range and a pattern of movement of theindividual(s) and/or object(s) within the predetermined detection range.

In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined detection range of thetailgate door 104 e may be adjusted to include a modifiable amount ofspace that is located within the vicinity of the tailgate door 104 e. Asdiscussed above, as the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e is in the process ofbeing opened by the motor(s) 106 a-106 e, the motor(s) 106 a-106 e mayprovide the level of opening of the tailgate door 104 e to the dooractuation module 204. In one embodiment, the door actuation module 204may provide data signal(s) that include the level of opening of thetailgate door 104 e to the sensor control module 206. Upon receiving thedata signal(s) that include the level of opening of the tailgate door104 e, the sensor control module 206 may calibrate the motion sensor 120e to adjust the predetermined detection range of the tailgate door 104 eto account for the changing space S occupied by the tailgate door 104 eas its being opened.

As depicted by rays labeled as R1-R8 within FIG. 7B, as the tailgatedoor 104 e is in the process of being opened by the motor 106 e, thesensor control module 206 may calibrate the motion sensor 120 e tomodify the predetermined detection range (R1-R8) in which the motion ofthe individual(s) and/or object(s) is detected. This functionalityallows the motion of the individual(s) and/or the object(s) to beproperly detected as the individual(s) may move and/or may move theobject(s) based on the change in the space S as the tailgate door 104 efully opens.

In an alternate embodiment, upon receiving the aforementioned datasignal(s) that include the level of opening of the tailgate door 104 e,the sensor control module 206 may only calibrate the motion sensor 120 eupon determining that the opening of the tailgate door 104 e has beenstopped while opening. For example, the individual(s) carrying theportable device(s) 126 may input the door open/close start/stop buttonof the input buttons 140 on the portable device(s) 126 to stop theopening of the tailgate door 104 e in order to place or pickup anadditional object from the vehicle 102. Upon determining the stopping ofthe opening of the tailgate door 104 e, the sensor control module 206may calibrate the motion sensor 120 e to adjust the predetermineddetection range based on the stopped open position of the tailgate door104 e (e.g., the position of the tailgate door as it came to a rest uponits opening being stopped).

With reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, upon activation of the motionsensor to sense the movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s)within the predetermined detection range of the motion sensor 120 e (atblock 702), at block 704, the method 700 may include determining ifmovement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) away from the spaceoccupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e occurs. In an exemplaryembodiment, upon activation of the motion sensor 120 e, the motionsensor 120 e may sense if the individual(s) and/or object(s) placed bythe individual(s) are moving away from the vehicle 102 and outside ofthe space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e (which may includethe door area zones 134 a-134 e that are utilized by the polling signalmodule 202).

In one embodiment, the motion sensor 120 e may be configured todetermine the pattern of motion based on sensing movements of theindividual(s) and/or object(s) as sensed within the predetermineddetection range of the motion sensor 120 e. If the motion sensor 120 edetermines that pattern of motion of the individual(s) and/or object(s)is moving away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e, the motion sensor 120 e may send a motion sensing signal(s) to thesensor control module 206 to provide indication to the sensor controlmodule 206 that the individual(s) and/or the object(s) are being movedoutside of the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e. Forexample, the motion sensor 120 e may sense when the individual(s) moveaway from the tailgate door 104 e and outside of the space S and/or moveobject(s) outside from the space S, such that it is safe to possiblyclose the tailgate door 104 e without physically impacting theindividual(s) and/or the object(s).

In an illustrative example, once the tailgate door 104 e has been openedby the motor 106 e, the individual may approach the vehicle 102 andplace objects within the rear portion 128 c (e.g., trunk) of the vehicle102. When the individual places the objects within the rear portion 128c of the vehicle 102, the individual may be standing within the space Sand/or may place some of the objects within the space S as they areloading them within the rear portion 128 c. Upon loading the objectswithin the rear portion 128 c, the individual may walk away from thespace S. The motion pattern of the individual walking away from thespace S as the individual is moving towards the outside of the detectionrange of the motion sensor 120 e may be sensed by the motion sensor 120e.

If it is determined that the movement of the individual(s) and/orobject(s) away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104e does not occur (at block 704), the method 700 may revert back to block702 wherein activation of the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e to sensemovement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) within the predetermineddetection range of the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e occurs.

If it is determined that movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s)away from the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e occurs(at block 704), at block 706, the method 700 may include determining ifthere is any movement of the individual(s) and/or object(s) within thespace occupied by the vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for a predeterminedperiod of time. The predetermined period of time may be a period of timethat is sufficient to indicate that the individual(s) and/or object(s)may not subsequently move towards and within the space occupied by thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e after moving away from the space (asdetermined at block 704). With reference to the illustrative examplediscussed above, the predetermined period of time may be an amount oftime such as 12 seconds that may provide a buffer to ensure that aftermoving away and out of the space S, the individual may not move backtowards and into the space S to load more objects within the rearportion 128 c of the vehicle 102.

In one embodiment, the polling signal module 202 may utilize the signalstrength thresholds that pertain to the one or more LF polling responsesignals received by the transceiver(s) 118 a-118 h to determine thelocation of the portable device(s) 126. More specifically, the pollingsignal module 202 may utilize the local area threshold value(s) todetermine if the portable device(s) 126 is not located within the localarea polling zone(s) 132 a-132 f that it was previously located in, whenthe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e was opened for the predetermined periodof time, as discussed above. If the polling signal module 202 determinesthat the portable device(s) 126 is not located within the local areapolling zone(s) 132 a-132 f, the polling signal module 202 may send acorresponding signal(s) to the sensor control module 206 to indicatethat there is no movement detected within the space occupied by thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for the predetermined period of time andthat it may be safe to close the respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 eof the vehicle 102.

In an alternate embodiment, the sensor control module 206 maycommunicate with the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e for a predeterminedperiod of time to ensure that there is no movement sensed by the motionsensor(s) 120 a-120 e that occurs within the space occupied by thevehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for the predetermined period of time. Morespecifically, the motion sensor(s) 120 a-120 e may sense if any motionoccurs within the predetermined detection range to determine if motionof an individual(s) and/or object(s) occur within the space occupied bythe vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e for the predetermined period of time. Ifthe motion sensor 120 e does not sense any motion within thepredetermined detection range for the predetermined period of time, themotion sensor 120 e may send a corresponding signal(s) to the sensorcontrol module 206 that indicates that there is no movement detectedwithin the predetermined period of time and that it may be safe to closethe respective vehicle door(s) 104 a-104 e.

If it is determined that there is no movement of the individual(s)and/or object(s) within the space occupied by the vehicle door(s) forthe predetermined period of time (at block 706), the method 700 mayproceed to block 708, wherein the method 700 may include supplying asecond amount of power to close at least one vehicle door 104 a-104 e.In an exemplary embodiment, upon receiving the corresponding signal(s)from the polling signal module 202 and/or the sensor control module 206,the door actuation module 204 may send one or more command signals tothe power control unit 112 to provide a second requisite amount of powerto the motor(s) 106 a-106 e to start closing the respective vehicledoor(s) 104 a-104 e. With reference again to FIG. 7B, in an illustrativeexample, once it is determined that the portable device(s) 126 is notlocated within the space S occupied by the tailgate door 104 e as itsbeing opened, the motor 106 e is provided the requisite amount of powerto start closing the tailgate door 104 e so that the tailgate door 104 ethat is configured as the lift gate door (similar to the configurationshown in FIG. 7B) starts to drop into a closed position.

The embodiments discussed herein may also be described and implementedin the context of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring computer-executable instructions. Non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media includes computer storage media andcommunication media. For example, flash memory drives, digital versatilediscs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), floppy disks, and tape cassettes.Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, modules or other data. Non-transitorycomputer readable storage media excludes transitory and propagated datasignals.

It can be appreciated that various implementations of theabove-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives orvarieties thereof, can be desirably combined into many other differentsystems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen orunanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvementstherein can be subsequently made by those skilled in the art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for providinghands free operation of at least one vehicle door comprising:determining if a portable device is located within at least one localarea polling zone of a vehicle; determining if the portable device isstationary for a first period of a predetermined period of time withinthe at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle; providing anotification of a remaining duration of the predetermined period of timeto instruct an individual carrying the portable device to remain in astationary position to allow the portable device to remain stationaryfor the remaining duration of the predetermined period of time; andsupplying an amount of power to a motor associated with the at least onevehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door if it isdetermined that the portable device remains stationary for thepredetermined period of time.
 2. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein determining if the portable device is located withinthe at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle includesdetermining and comparing a signal strength of at least one pollingresponse signal sent from the portable device to at least one local areathreshold value that is specifically associated with at least onetransceiver of the vehicle that receives the at least one pollingresponse signal with a highest signal strength.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining if theportable device is stationary for the first period of the predeterminedperiod of time includes computing at least one difference value betweena signal strength of at least one polling response signal received fromthe portable device and at least one subsequent polling response signalreceived from the portable device.
 4. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 3, wherein determining if the portable device is stationary forthe first period of the predetermined period of time includes comparingthe at least one difference value to at least one signal strengthdeviation threshold that is associated with at least one transceiver ofthe vehicle that is in proximity to the at least one local area pollingzone of the vehicle in which the portable device is located.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing thenotification of the remaining duration of the predetermined period oftime includes enabling at least one light source that is configured asin-glass embedded lighting to provide at least one textual graphic,wherein the at least one textual graphic is viewable in a plurality ofcolors to present an effect of being etched within at least one portionof at least one window of the vehicle.
 6. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 5, wherein providing the notification of the remainingduration of the predetermined period of time includes presenting the atleast one textual graphic to provide a countdown timer that counts downthe remaining duration of the predetermined period of time.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein providing thenotification of the remaining duration of the predetermined period oftime includes enabling the at least one light source that is configuredas in-glass embedded lighting to provide at least one illustrativegraphic, wherein the at least one illustrative graphic is presented toinform the individual of the remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time and to inform the individual to remain a safe distancefrom the at least one vehicle door upon the completion of the remainingduration of the predetermined period of time.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing thenotification of the remaining duration of the predetermined period oftime includes providing vehicle lighting at a full brightness level atthe first period of the predetermined period of time and dimming thevehicle lighting during the remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time to indicate the remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time to the individual.
 9. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 8, wherein providing the notification of the remaining duration ofthe predetermined period of time includes providing the vehicle lightingat the full brightness level when it is determined that the portabledevice does not remain stationary for the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time to indicate to the individual to remain inthe stationary position.
 10. A system for providing hands free operationof at least one vehicle door comprising: a non-transitory storage mediumstoring instructions when executed by a processor cause the processorto: determine if a portable device is located within at least one localarea polling zone of a vehicle; determine if the portable device isstationary for a first period of a predetermined period of time withinthe at least one local area polling zone of the vehicle; provide anotification of a remaining duration of the predetermined period of timeto instruct an individual carrying the portable device to remain in astationary position to allow the portable device to remain stationaryfor the remaining duration of the predetermined period of time; andsupply an amount of power to a motor associated with the at least onevehicle door to open or close the at least one vehicle door if it isdetermined that the portable device remains stationary for thepredetermined period of time.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereindetermining if the portable device is located within the at least onelocal area polling zone of the vehicle includes determining andcomparing a signal strength of at least one polling response signal sentfrom the portable device to at least one local area threshold value thatis specifically associated with at least one transceiver of the vehiclethat receives the at least one polling response signal with a highestsignal strength.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein determining if theportable device is stationary for the first period of the predeterminedperiod of time includes computing at least one difference value betweena signal strength of at least one polling response signal received fromthe portable device and at least one subsequent polling response signalreceived from the portable device.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereindetermining if the portable device is stationary for the first period ofthe predetermined period of time includes comparing the at least onedifference value to at least one signal strength deviation thresholdthat is associated with at least one transceiver of the vehicle that isin proximity to the at least one local area polling zone of the vehiclein which the portable device is located.
 14. The system of claim 10,wherein providing the notification of the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time includes enabling at least one light sourcethat is configured as in-glass embedded lighting to provide at least onetextual graphic, wherein the at least one textual graphic is viewable ina plurality of colors to present an effect of being etched within atleast one portion of at least one window of the vehicle.
 15. The systemof claim 14, wherein providing the notification of the remainingduration of the predetermined period of time includes presenting the atleast one textual graphic to provide a countdown timer that counts downthe remaining duration of the predetermined period of time.
 16. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein providing the notification of the remainingduration of the predetermined period of time includes enabling the atleast one light source that is configured as in-glass embedded lightingto provide at least one illustrative graphic, wherein the at least oneillustrative graphic is presented to inform the individual of theremaining duration of the predetermined period of time and to inform theindividual to remain a safe distance from the at least one vehicle doorupon the completion of the remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein providing thenotification of the remaining duration of the predetermined period oftime includes providing vehicle lighting at a full brightness level atthe first period of the predetermined period of time and dimming thevehicle lighting during the remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time to indicate the remaining duration of the predeterminedperiod of time to the individual.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinproviding the notification of the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time includes providing the vehicle lighting atthe full brightness level when it is determined that the portable devicedoes not remain stationary for the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time to indicate to the individual to remain inthe stationary position.
 19. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, whichincludes at least a processor, causes the computer to perform a method,the method comprising: determining if a portable device is locatedwithin at least one local area polling zone of a vehicle; determining ifthe portable device is stationary for a first period of a predeterminedperiod of time within the at least one local area polling zone of thevehicle; providing a notification of a remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time to instruct an individual carrying theportable device to remain in a stationary position to allow the portabledevice to remain stationary for the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time; and supplying an amount of power to amotor associated with at least one vehicle door to open or close the atleast one vehicle door if it is determined that the portable deviceremains stationary for the predetermined period of time.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, whereinproviding the notification of the remaining duration of thepredetermined period of time includes enabling at least one light sourcethat is configured as in-glass embedded lighting to provide at least onetextual graphic, wherein the at least one textual graphic is viewable ina plurality of colors to present an effect of being etched within atleast one portion of at least one window of the vehicle.